Disclaimer: I don't own PLL.

Warnings: This work contains foul language, sex scenes, child abuse, attempted sexual abuse, violence etc. MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.

At lunch the five of them were sore but pleasantly buzzing, Emily couldn't stop talking about how much she loved the class and Alison couldn't stop smiling at Emily's adorable excitement. It was a great day filled with laughter and enthusiasm exactly what the doctor ordered. The waiter however a twenty something guy was much more interested in flexing his muscles in front of Alison than actually taking any orders. When Spencer snapped at him for the second time and had him scurrying off to the kitchen the topic quickly changed to Alison's game plan with 'hot waiter guy'.

"He's so going to ask for your number," Hanna gushed.

"First Jake now this guy, Ali you always get the cute ones," Aria whined with a playful pout.

Alison waved off their concerns.

"Girls I have no interest in that meat head or Jake, I like my partners with brawn and brains," she gave Emily a meaningful glance but her mermaid was playing with the salt shaker.

"Oh please since when have brains interested you," Spencer challenged.

"Since my tastes have evolved," Alison shot back with a triumphant grin. "In fact I have changed my tastes quite a bit."

"Oh yeah how so?" Aria took the bait.

Emily picked her head up interested as well and Alison grinned leaning in closer the others all mimicking her, very aware Alison was about to share something secretive.

"I've actually done a lot of soul searching lately," Alison started, she felt the words catch in her throat unprepared for how much of a step this actually was, she coughed a little.

"Soul searching?" Spencer mused. "You sound like you're trying to come out."

Alison froze and Spencer faulted.

"Ali?" Aria asked cautiously.

"Oh my god are you gay?" Hanna whispered.

"Well," Alison cleared her throat again. "It was suppose to be a big reveal but thank you for stealing the thunder, Spencer."

"Wait you are?" Spencer asked in shock.

"I'm not gay," Alison sighed.

Emily looked down at the salt shaker again.

"I'm bisexual," Alison admitted.

"Oh my god," Hanna squealed. "That is so awesome."

"I'm proud of you, Ali," Aria said squeezing Alison's hand.

"Me too," Spencer agreed.

Alison looked over to Emily but the brunette just shook the canister salt spilling onto the table. Spencer nudged Emily none too gently.

"Congrats," Emily half heartedly smiled before she looked down again.

Alison felt her happy smile fall from her face. Well that hadn't exactly gone to plan.

"So any girls on the radar?" Hanna asked excitedly.

"Ah no," Alison said. "No, just flying solo."

"Well thats boring," Hanna groused. "How can I live through you if you're not hooking up with hot girls and guys?"

Alison laughed.

"Go hook up with your own hottie, Han," Alison encouraged playfully.

"If she ever stopped stuffing her face she could," Emily quipped laughing.

Spencer laughed along with Emily and Hanna's face fell dropping the slice of garlic bread in her hand with a troubled frown. Alison saw red before she could stop herself.

"At least Hanna has taste, your boyfriend's blander than oatmeal and twice as lumpy," Alison snapped at Emily. "And when's the last time you had a date, Spencer, fifth grade?"

Spencer looked away hurt. Emily looked down chastised and an uncomfortable silence settled over the five of them.

"I need to go to the bathroom," Hanna said softly standing up and wiping at her face as she left.

Alison stood too intent to go after Hanna but she rounded on the other two first.

"When Hanna comes back you better apologize," Alison threatened.

Alison headed away from the table and then turned back taking a deep frustrated breath.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you both but just… don't be bitches ok," Alison didn't wait for their responses.

She found Hanna in the bathroom staring at the mirror over the sink.

"I wasn't going to do it," she said solemnly.

"I know," Alison said as she got closer to the tearful blonde. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright and weren't listening to those idiots."

"Those idiots are your best friends," Hanna said wiping at her eyes.

"So I'd know better than anyone how stupid they can be," Alison argued.

Hanna gave a small smile.

"Was that a smile?" Alison asked knocking against Hanna playfully. "You could have any guy you want Hanna trust me, don't let some stupid comments get to you."

Hanna sniffled and nodded.

"Thanks Ali, you're a good friend," Hanna said softly.

"I'm trying, Han," Ali promised hugging the blonde.

She pulled out of the embrace after a long moment.

"But I'm not always going to be here," Alison said as she wiped at Hanna's eyes gently. "As much as I want to be, you're gonna have to find that person inside you Hanna, that amazing fun carefree person who doesn't give a crap what stupid bitches say."

Hanna nodded her lower lip quivering a bit.

"I can only do so much, the rest is all you Han," Alison assured. "There's no one better for the job and I'll be there as much as I can with pep talks and bitchy retorts but at the end of the day Han its you making you happy."

Hanna slowly nodded her head really absorbing Alison's words.

"Now lets go out there and make those jerks squirm," Alison happily called, looping her arm with Hanna's.

"Are we really going to be mean to Spencer and Emily?" Hanna asked.

"No," Alison smirked. "But if we give them the cold shoulder long enough they'll pay for lunch."

She smiled conspiratorially and Hanna laughed.

"Ok," Hanna agreed.

When they got back to the table Emily and Spencer were both playing with their food sulking, Aria smiled at the returning blondes and both Spencer and Emily shot up.

"I'm so sorry, Han," Emily begged.

"Me too," Spencer added. "So sorry."

Hanna looked them over and then took her seat hauntingly. Alison had to smoother her pleased smile with her hand. She was proud of Hanna, the blonde was nailing the cold indifference attitude.

"Hanna?" Spencer asked cautiously.

Hanna turned to Aria instead.

"So Aria how do you feel about-"

"Hanna I'm sorry, we're sorry," Emily whined.

Hanna ignored her.

"Ali do something," Emily begged helplessly.

Alison shrugged.

"You made your beds," Alison said casually sitting next to Hanna.

Aria, Hanna and Alison happily talked amongst themselves while Spencer and Emily kept trying to be included. Eventually Spencer had had enough.

"Look we'll pay for lunch ok just please Hanna talk to us," Spencer pleaded.

Emily nodded.

Hanna turned to the two and then smiled wide.

"I forgive you," she laughed.

Spencer and Emily sulked as soon as they realized they'd been played but they came out of it by the time the bill arrive and true to their word the two brunettes paid.

Alison caught up to Emily when the others headed off in their separate directions, thanking Spencer for the lift Alison declined a ride home. She didn't want to be apart from Emily and wracked her brain for a reason to be around the brunette.

"Hey Emily do you want to have a sleepover tonight?" Alison asked hesitantly, her own nerves surprised her but the blonde had put herself out there with Emily last week and this would be the first time they would truly be alone following Alison's confession. Needless to say the blonde was a little intimidated.

"Sorry Ali it's family dinner tonight my Dad's being deployed at the end of summer," Emily sadly replied.

"Right of course," Alison tried to hide her disappointment she knew how much Emily's father meant to the brunette and she never wanted to get in the way of the limited time they had together.

"Maybe you could come to dinner," Emily hedged.

"Really your parents wouldn't mind?" Alison asked.

Emily titled her head in confusion and Alison was reminded once again how much she had changed, she never asked if things were ok for other people. Merely barged into their lives and their evenings without any regard for their plans but here she was the Alison DiLaurentis making sure she wasn't intruding on the Fields family dinner.

"I can check," Emily recovered finally. "But I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Great," Alison smiled taking Emily's hand gently. "I love your mom's cooking."

Emily looked to their joined hands stunned and nodded belatedly agreeing with Alison. The blonde gave Emily's hand a soft squeeze.

"Texts me the details I'm going to head home and change," Alison gestured to her sweaty gym attire.

Emily given permission to look, slowly raked her eyes over Alison's form for far too long to be simply agreeing with Alison insistence to change. Alison felt a pleased smirk come to her lips, as the brunette drank her in. It was an enjoyable experience to see Emily so blatantly checking her out.

"Oh should I bring anything tonight?" Alison asked the idea suddenly coming to her.

Emily's eyes snapped up to Alison face as though the blonde had caught her and took a moment to gather herself.

"Um no I don't.." Emily spluttered.

"Just text me," Alison assured with another gentle squeeze to Emily's fingers.

Reluctantly Alison let go of Emily and smiled softly at the brunette, it pained Alison to leave but she needed to shower and it wouldn't do to crowd Emily too much. Everything was still so fragile and new, this was just one battle in the long war of proving she was worthy of Emily.

"Wait Ali," Emily called. "Is it true? What you told us in there are you.."

"Bi?" Alison supplied.

Emily nodded.

"Yeah, does that," Alison felt her stomach drop. "That doesn't bother you does it?"

"No," Emily hurriedly clarified. "I just, why did you tell them?"

"Because I'm trying to be honest and thats a part of me I want to be able to share with people in my life," Alison answered truthfully.

"Do you think I'm… I might be bi?" Emily whispered.

"I can't answer that for you, mermaid," Alison sadly replied, even though she knew the answer. "You have to figure that out for yourself."

Emily nodded staring at her feet.

"I didn't say anything to pressure you Emily, I'm patiently waiting," Alison grinned when Emily looked up to her, those hopeful doe eyes shinning with trust.

"You'll get there," Alison nudged Emily playfully. "Now I have to shower so text me about tonight alright, don't forget."

Emily nodded and they parted ways finally.

Alison smoothed her light green sun dress for the sixth time as she walked to Emily's house it wasn't far from her own home and it was a lovely summer evening she figured a stroll was a good idea. Swinging from her hand in a nice gift bag was a fancy red wine her mother had offered, Jessica was always one to keep up appearances, and Alison was excited to not be turning up to dinner empty handed. She intended to impress Mr and Mrs Fields as much as she could, it was a long term strategy. Get the parents on side before she got the girl. Alison was quite pleased with herself for this plan, now all she had to do was be on her best behaviour.

She rang the doorbell at the Fields home rocking on the balls of her feet and trying to steady her nerves. Hurried footsteps thudded down the stairs and the door swung open to reveal Emily smiling warmly and obviously bouncing with excitement.

"Hi, Ali," Emily gushed tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear shyly.

Alison smiled warmly and darted forward quickly placing a gentle kiss to Emily's cheek, as she pulled back she noted how Emily flushed.

"Hi Em," Alison responded unable to keep the pleased smirk from her lips as Emily stepped aside to let the blonde past, a hand subtly holding her cheek where Alison had kissed her.

Unlike the DiLaurentis foyer the Fields home was warm and welcoming from the start. The foyer opened up into the dinning room and the whole house was well lit and homely, Alison breathed a grateful sigh, she had always felt most comfortable in this house. The smell of roasting chicken wafted from the kitchen and Alison beamed happily at the reminder of a home cooked meal.

"Emmy did you get the door?" Wayne Fields asked from the kitchen as he came strolling in, he smiled at Alison and the blonde found herself momentarily stunned, she hadn't actually seen this man in three years.

"Well if it isn't little Miss DiLaurentis," Wayne teased, he'd been calling her such since the 4th grade when the Fields had first moved to Rosewood.

Upon meeting her new best friend's parents little Alison DiLaurentis had stuck out her hand and informed Wayne she was to be addressed as Miss DiLaurentis. Wayne had found the whole situation so amusing he brought it up whenever he could, happily teasing Alison as she grew.

Overwhelmed and not at all prepared for her own reaction Alison felt herself choke up, she had missed this man a lot, by far the only decent father in any of her friends lives Wayne Fields was almost as big a part of Alison's life growing up as he was Emily's life. She shook her head trying to order her thoughts, grasping for something to say.

"Ali," Emily asked gently aware that something was up with her friend.

"I…" Alison grappled for words. "Its really great to see you, Mr Fields."

Wayne titled his head, an almost identical copy of his daughter, as he studied Alison trying to figure out what was wrong.

"Get over here, Alison," Wayne said after a long moment pulling Alison into his arms and squeezing her into a strong hug.

Alison hugged him back confused as to how she had once again found herself in the embrace of one of her friends' parents. As Wayne patted her back comfortingly Alison couldn't help but shake the feeling that the girls' parents all knew more about the DiLaurentis home life than they had let on.

Wayne pulled away as his wife came down the stairs.

"Alison so lovely to see you," Pam Fields gushed but Alison could see that the older woman's smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Thank you for having me for dinner, Mrs Fields," Alison politely responded. "My mom wanted me to give you both this."

She handed over the wine to Pam and smiled widely when Pam nodded.

"How thoughtful," Pam noted. "Well tell your mother thank you."

"And you're always welcome here, Alison," Wayne reminded.

Alison humbly nodded but caught the sharp look Pam gave Wayne before Emily was dragging the blonde into the kitchen to get utensils to set the dinning room table. Something was definitely up and Alison couldn't help but feel like she was walking into an ambush.

"Em," she called softly as Emily was digging through the cutlery draw. "Is your mom mad at me or something?"

Emily stopped digging and looked to Alison with worried eyes.

"Em what is it?" Alison felt herself panic, if Pam knew all the horrible things Alison had put her daughter through this was going to be a much harder dinner than Ali had anticipated.

"She knows about the Jenna Thing and she was.. she was pretty mad," Emily admitted guilty.

Crap. Well its not as though the girls could be charged with a crime, do community service and hope to keep it from their parents but Alison could only imagine what the straight laced Mrs Fields now thought of the blonde. She probably had all kinds of visions of Alison corrupting her daughter, forming some kind of gang that shook down other kids for milkshake money, smoking cigarettes behind dumpsters and tossing switch blades at each other. Well this would not do at all, though the way Alison actually wanted to corrupt Emily was something she had no interest in sharing with Pam Fields, ever.

"Well that'll make tonight interesting," Alison huffed.

"I'm sorry Ali," Emily immediately jumped in. "I didn't mean to tell them but the police and-"

"Hey, shh," Alison soothed. "I'm not mad and you didn't do anything wrong."

"You're not," Emily hesitantly questioned.

"Of course not," Alison pulled Emily to her so she could look the brunette in the eyes. "How could I be mad at that adorable face?"

Emily stared wide eyed and fearful, disbelief and confusion swimming in her hypnotizing chocolate depths.

"Don't look so scared, Em it's only me," Alison teased unable to help herself as she brushed a finger across Emily's cheek.

The clatter of cutlery to the tiled kitchen floor startled them both out of their trance and Emily scurried into a crouch to pick it all up. Alison bent down to help but Emily snatched the knives away and hurried off into the dinning room, Alison followed slowly already feeling like tonight was going to be a chore instead of the quiet dinner she had hoped for.

It wasn't as tense as Alison had dreaded sitting across from Emily with Pam at head of the table on her right and Wayne the head on her left. The conversation flowed easily enough mainly instigated by Wayne and Alison, Pam was trying but Alison could feel the woman's forced politeness and it felt like a kick to the stomach. Emily only spoke when directly addressed and tried as hard as she could to avoid Alison's eyes.

Wayne laughed setting down his wine as the conversation once again came to a lull. Alison sighed and then made a decision, she was Alison DiLaurentis and if there was one thing the blonde could say about herself was that she didn't back down from a challenge.

"Mr and Mrs Fields thank you so much for inviting me to dinner again," Alison gushed receiving pleasant nods from Emily's parents.

"I just want to be honest for a moment if I may," Alison hedged, again the Fields nodded but Emily's eyes now locked onto Alison fearful as to what the blonde might reveal.

"I know that what happened on the fourth of July was terrible but I want you to understand it was my fault not Emily's or the other girls and I told the police that," Alison implored. "We shouldn't have lied the first time but that was my fault too so please don't punish Emily because of my mistakes."

Wayne and Pam shared a look before Wayne shrugged and Pam cleared her throat.

"Thank you for being honest with us, Alison," she started. "I can understand why you girls didn't come forward and from all reports it was a prank gone terribly wrong but Emily's actions are her own responsibility and she, like all of you should have owned up to her mistakes sooner."

Alison nodded chastised, her own parents hadn't even really noticed that Alison was out at community service for four days that week and she wondered how long it would take for the Rosewood grapevine to inform them of their daughters' delinquent behaviour.

"Yes, Mrs Fields, you're right," Alison admitted.

"Emily's father and I have decided that community service is enough of a punishment and that you girls have learnt your lesson when it comes to how dangerous pranks can be," Pam argued seriously.

"Yes, Mrs Fields," Alison dutifully responded.

Alison caught Emily's eye imploring the brunette to stay quiet about A, the Fields would never let Emily out of the house again if they thought someone was targeting Alison and possibly Emily.

"Now who wants dessert," Wayne boomed happily.

Pam smiled at Alison and in a touching gesture reached across the table to squeeze Alison's hand gently.

"I'll get the pie," Pam softly announced.

"Let me help please," Alison offered already on her feet and following Pam to the kitchen.

As Alison helped Pam serve up apple pie and ice cream she couldn't help but feel like this was what she wanted, a real family, people to care for and people who cared for her. Handing Emily and then Wayne a bowl each Alison felt like this was to be a treasured moment, catching Emily's soft smile directed at her Alison beamed back before Emily looked away embarrassed at once again being caught.

Alison felt her own smile slip a little, it felt great to be with Emily's parents to enjoy conversation and well cooked meals, but the tiny reminders of who she was to these people stung the blonde. Emily's friend was over for dinner and Alison surprised herself with how much she longed to be the girlfriend.

After dinner Emily walked Alison to the door, again the blonde had thanked her hosts and Pam had even given Alison some take home pie. Wayne had given her another big hug and Alison had truly wanted to stay forever.

On the porch Emily had wrung her hands nervously as she thanked Alison for coming and Alison had laughed pulling the brunette into a long hug, she hadn't dared to kiss Emily's cheek again but she made sure the hug expressed how much she wanted to.

When they finally said good night, Alison headed across the Fields yard when a light flicked on across the street. She looked over to see Toby storm out of his house, sitting angrily on the front porch. Yelling came from inside the house and Toby covered his ears trying to block it all out. Alison watched him for a moment guilt and pity waring in her stomach at the sight.

Her night however wasn't totally over. Alison was cutting through the Hastings' backyard to get to her house, as it was the quickest way through and it had long ago become a pattern for Alison when she was sneaking out or in. She was happily enjoying her stroll when a girlish giggle caught her attention.

"Ian stop it."

Alison ducked into the shadows peering over the Hastings' back porch and took in a most distressing sight. Ian stood tickling a squirming Spencer in his arms, who wiggled laughing as the man's hands danced across her skin. Alison almost puked at the happy pair and came to a fast decision.

She strolled out of her hiding spot and cleared her throat loudly.

Spencer and Ian froze. Ian retracting his hands slowly as Alison crossed her arms glaring at him.

"Alison," Spencer exclaimed in surprise. "We were just-"

"Oh I know what you were just," Alison snapped, she couldn't help but feel disappointed in Spencer even though part of her knew it was unfair.

Spencer was young and hungry for attention at this time coupled with her never ending war with Melissa and her issues with her parents and never being good enough in their eyes. Well it was easy to see in hindsight why she lavished Ian's affections. It wasn't right but it was understandable.

"Not that it's any of your business, Alison," Ian stressed. "But Spencer and I were just having a little fun."

Ian smiled at Spencer warmly and Alison wanted to punch him in the face. She knew all about Ian's version of fun and a plan began to formulate in her mind. She needed to get a hold of those videos, her thoughts briefly drifting to Toby, maybe she could kill two birds with one stone.

"Sure Ian," Alison drooled. "Shall I see if Melissa wants to join or maybe Mr and Mrs Hastings would love to hear about what you've been doing with their underage daughter."

"Alison," Spencer shrieked.

"Green isn't a good colour on you Alison," Ian groused.

Alison smirked.

"Don't kid yourself, sweetie," Alison rejoined. "Every things a good colour on me."

Ian huffed and grabbed his jacket that was draped over a near by chair.

"I'll see you round Spencer," Ian grumbled pushing past Alison as he walked off.

"Don't bet on it," Alison snapped as he left.

She recrossed her arms scowling at Spencer in disapproval.

"I thought we already talked about this," Alison muttered.

"You talked," Spencer lashed out. "I just didn't listen."

Alison sighed. Trust Spencer to be stubborn at the worst time.

"He's bad news Spencer," Alison warned.

"He likes me," Spencer cried back.

"He's a creep, he's way too old for you and you're only doing this because of Melissa," Alison fried back, she regretted it as Spencer shuffled on her feet looking down at the tiling.

"Please Spencer you have to trust me he's not good for you," Alison promised, trying to get Spencer to see the truth.

"You don't even know him," Spencer huffed.

Alison could have screamed, everything she knew about Ian was in hind sight she'd flirted with him before and they'd kissed a couple of times at the kissing rock but the videos, pushing Spencer off the bell tower, his shady connection to A it either hadn't happened yet or Alison had no way of proving it.

She took a deep breath, this was going to leave a bad taste in her mouth she just knew it.

"I kissed him too," Alison admitted.

"What?" Spencer gasped. "When? How? Why?!"

"Before you did. When he was helping you with hockey, thats… that's why I wanted you to tell Melissa so I could have him for myself but that was before I figured out who he really was," Alison hurriedly explained.

"You just want him for yourself," Spencer huffed.

"I don't, I promise I don't. I just want him gone. He's dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Spencer furrowed her brow. "What do you mean dangerous?"

"His temper gets the best of him," Alison admitted, though technically not a lie it wasn't exactly the truth either. "And he has videos."

"What kind of videos?"

"Hidden camera videos, him and his jerk friends have been filming all the girls in town," Alison shared.

Spencer stared at her blankly.

"Through their bedroom windows."

Spencer blinked.

"When they're changing…" Alison trailed off but Spencer remained unaffected.

"For fucks sake Spencer he's been making his own underage porno," Alison snapped.

"What!?" Spencer shrieked.

"Yeah, bad news, major creep. Get it now," Alison fumed.

"But he.. He said he liked me," Spencer took a shuddering breath and Alison could see she was on the edge of water works.

"No, no, please don't cry," Alison whispered hurrying over to Spencer's side.

"He, he really has videos like that?" Spencer asked heartbroken.

Alison nodded sadly.

Spencer shuddered all over.

"We should tell Melissa," Alison stated. "She deserves to know."

"You can't," Spencer cried. "She'll kill me."

"Ok, alright," Alison grabbed Spencer's arms rubbing them gently trying to calm the distraught girl. "I won't I promise."

She didn't want to push Spencer to tell Melissa she'd made that mistake once before and it hadn't ended well for either of them, if she could gently ease Spencer into the idea of telling Melissa or better yet they could show her the videos and they'd all be finally be rid of Ian. Alison was already planning a little breaking in and entering and this time he'd never know it was her.