Alison stirred and found the warmth of Emily's satin skin replaced with the warmth of snug sheets and a comforter. The curtains were drawn to keep out the sun and her sleep laden eyes that scanned the room found no Emily.

She got out of bed wrapping the comforter around her and walked over to the easy chair where her discarded clothes from last night had been neatly folded and left on the arm. "Emily" she thought to herself and smiled. She dressed and walked out to the window and peered out.

It was a cloudy day. The kind where all one desires is a warm cup of coffee and a good book… or maybe a snug pair of arms to cuddle into. Alison wrapped her arms around herself and found parts of her body immediately react to the contact. Certain parts more sore than others – sore and sensitive but deliciously so.

Plump lips broke into a smile that she couldn't control. Her mind was flooded with images of raven locks tangled in her fingers, tan skin melting into her own as her own pale skin burnt with a passion she had never felt before, her body rising and falling and soaring and shattering into a million pieces, slave to those fingertips and mouth that worshipped her and ravaged her like she never thought possible. Yes, Alison couldn't control her smile.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Emily walking out of the bathroom dressed in jeans and a casual black shirt.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Better than ever before."

"Would you like some breakfast?"

"Croissants, blueberry muffins and coffee."

"Sounds vaguely familiar."

"It should."

"How about some crepes instead?"

"Only if you get my favorite cook to make them for me."

"Talia isn't here. She lives in Philly."

"I had someone else in mind."

"Really? I was pretty sure Talia was your favorite cook."

"Well, she maybe a better cook but I'm biased."

"Did you just say Talia was a better cook?"

"Someone's pride is hurt."

"I hate you."

"Do you?"

"Maybe."

"Really?"

"Really."

"So you don't want to kiss me right now?"

"No."

"Not even a little bit?"

"Stop."

"Kiss me."

"Alison!"

"Kiss me, Emily!"

"I thought we were going to get breakfast."

"Kiss me!"

"But."

"Fine! I need a shower. I'll be right ba.." She didn't get to finish her sentence. Her lips were pressed against that now familiar mouth she was just appreciating the skills of. It didn't disappoint.

Her hair was tugged gently and her head was pulled back so that Emily's tongue could sweep in and taste every inch of that teasing tongue that Alison seemed so at ease bantering with. Alison found herself not so much in the mood to give in easily and bit down on the tongue resulting in a moan from the taller girl. The kiss was long and drawn out and would have led to more if Emily wasn't painfully aware of the time.

She pulled back and looked into the now hooded blue orbs. "We can't. Not now. Its late. Cece …" she trailed off. Alison bit her lip and nodded. She knew the world around them had not disappeared. No matter how it seemed to them last night, they had to walk back into the real world.

"A quick shower and I'll make myself scarce," Alison promised.

"Uhh? No. I'm making us breakfast. I just don't want her walking in on us." Emily blushed. Alison smiled back wondering who the real Emily was – the one devouring her last night or the gentle, shy girl blushing before her right now. She felt blessed either way.

Half an hour later both girls were sitting at a table in the back with the honey drizzled, strawberry crepes that Emily had made them. Alison was licking the back of her fork and enjoying the way it made Emily gulp hard.

The morning regulars were around and many were surprised to see Emily there. They smiled at the girl they knew for years and she smiled back warmly and nodded. She couldn't say she didn't miss the warmth of the café. Her escape from the bitter memories the café also meant her missing out on the little comforts it brought her.

"I think I am going to be a really fat old woman," Alison declared finally when she found nothing to lick clean before her.

Emily's eyebrows shot up. "Because of the crepes?"

"Umhmm and everything else that you feed me."

"I have fed you thrice in total, Ali!" was Emily's amused response.

"Well I am appointing you my official cook. For now and forever."

"Do I have a say in this?"

"I'll pay well, you know," Alison offered seductively. Then leaning forward she whispered, "You be my slave in the kitchen and I'll be your slave everywhere else."

Emily almost fell off her chair. "Ali!" she reprimanded the blonde.

This Alison was completely new to her. Demanding, teasing, bold, confident. She obviously knew the Ali she brought in from the street was not the real Ali but this Alison was something else. She just couldn't get over how attractive this whole new side of Alison was.

Emily smiled. She loved Alison. All of her. The timid, the broken, the tease, the confident. She felt so blessed.

She had been spending a life filled with bitterness and wasting every gift she had been given except for Celine. Now she suddenly felt all of that hurt and bitterness melt away in the warmth of the mischievously smiling blonde seated before her.

"Emily?" The voice brought her back to reality. She looked up at the second blonde in her life standing by the table – her face grim, the dark circles speaking of the probably hard night she had spent.

"Hey Cece. Good morning." Emily's voice was careful. She wasn't sure what to expect from Cece.

More importantly, she could sense the change in Alison's demeanor. Gone was the confident woman seated with her a minute back. Alison had somehow shrunk and was like a child afraid of being rejected by the kids at her new school.

"You weren't home and I was kind of expecting you would be here. Both of you," Cece finally looked at Alison and nodded. Alison noticed she didn't look like she was here to fight or threaten anyone. She just looked tired.

"Yeah," Emily responded. "We were catching up and it got late so…" she trailed off.

Cece nodded. She looked around and then back at Emily, "Ce is at school. I have stuff to do here. Can we talk later? Lunch maybe."

"Yeah ok." Emily replied. She knew this was something she would need to do. "I'll be back here at noon."

"No. I'll come home. Will you be home?" Cece asked.

Emily stood up. "Fine."

Alison stood up too and left behind Emily. They walked out and headed towards Alison's car. Both were quiet. Alison more so.

"Ali? Everything will be fine. Cece loves me. She wants me happy too."

"I know."

"Give me time."

Alison looked at Emily and gave her a small smile. "This is not all your burden. I have to fix a few things too. Just that…"

"Just what?"

"When she says home, she means your home… Yours. Hers. Ce's. I feel like I am intruding."

Emily stopped and turned around. "No Ali. Cece and I are not involved. Not that way."

"I know."

"We are family. She is family. Things are hard sometimes but I don't want you ever thinking what you just said. She is one of the few who actually knows that you are important. She gets it. That's also what scares her."

Emily's voice was sadder as she went on, "Its me Ali, not you. None of the people in my life have much faith in my reasoning and decisions. I have messed up a lot. I can make excuses for it but I look at you and realize they would be just excuses. You never let the bad stuff break you. I promise you, I'll fix this."

Alison couldn't help herself when she found her hand cupping the soft cheek before her and her feet extending to reach up and place a chaste kiss on the taller girl's lips.

Everything was going to be fine.

A dark SUV stood in front of the building that housed Rosewood P.D. Two officers in uniforms walked out of the building and towards the car.

"We've been assigned to assist you while you are in town, Sir… ehmm Ma'am."

The tall brunette had a short fuse for bumbling idiots and shot back, "Its Miss. Hastings. Let's get moving. We have a criminal to find"