Disclaimers: I don't own PLL.

This work includes: Violence, Mentions of Child Abuse, Murder, Suicidal Thoughts, Sex Scenes, Coarse Language. PTSD.

Alison rolled around in her bed trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in, but she couldn't find one no matter which way she rolled. And it was because something important was missing, strong arms to curl up in, Alison turned her face into her pillow and tried to block out the memories.

"Ali, are you awake?" Emily hesitantly asked.

For a second Alison was sure they were in her room back from New York on that night the hesitance in Emily's voice almost identical but she opened her eyes to Emily's bedside table and Emily's pale yellow wallpaper. She'd obviously taken too long to respond as Emily leaned up and draped herself over Ali's side.

"You're faking," Emily accused softly.

"No, I'm sleeping," Ali muttered, shifting and burrowing down into the pillow.

"No," Emily whined, pressing her face into Ali's neck. "Don't sleep. Play with me."

Ali giggled as Emily kissed at her neck.

"Its late, baby," Alison admonished softly.

"But I love you," Emily sucked on her neck particularly forcefully and Alison arched despite herself.

"I love you too," Alison mumbled. "And we can finish this in the morning."

She didn't need to see Emily to know the brunette was pouting. Ali sighed exasperated but finally rolled over.

"You're so lucky I love you," Alison grumbled only partially irritated as she met Emily's wide excited eyes.

"The luckiest," Emily agreed, staring at her.

"Well," Alison yawned. "You got me here now-"

Emily seized her lips in a tender demanding kiss and Alison hummed her approval. She couldn't help it she loved when Emily took charge, just took what she wanted without the worry of Alison rejecting her.

Emily pushed forward and rolled Alison onto her back as they kissed, they'd reluctantly changed into pyjamas for fear of Emily's parents catching them and Emily's hot hand slid under Alison's loose shirt blazing a trail up her ribs.

"Em," Alison whined arching as Emily trailed kisses to her jaw and cupped her bare breast.

Alison grasped Emily's hair tightly as the brunette nipped at her neck.

Alison's eyes flew open. The morning light blinded her for a second and she squeezed her eyes shut trying to order her thoughts, these memories/dreams/fantasies were getting out of control. During the day, at night, almost constantly they would seep into her conscience and torment her with what might have been. Ali briefly considered talking to a professional but the fear of being committed, of there actually being something seriously wrong with her kept her quiet. So she was stuck, living a nightmare and sleeping in a perfect dream that would never be.

Pepe jumped up onto the bed and Alison curled herself around him, she didn't want to get up today or ever if she could help it.

Alison lasted a week before she finally cracked. And she cracked hard.

"Hey stop!"

Alison darted past the barrier blocking Emily and Toby's street, two officers chased her but she sprinted to Emily's door, the media looking on excitedly. Alison rung the doorbell quickly as the officers came up behind her, almost hauling her off her feet as they grabbed her arms.

Mrs Fields opened the door, a heavy frown set on her worn face.

"Apologies mam," one officer puffed. "She got past us at the barrier."

Mrs Fields waved him off.

"I'll take care of this, please just keep the reporters out," Mrs Fields told them sharply, she sounded more worn down than last week and Alison tried to take this as a good sign.

The officers glared at Alison but let her go and headed back to the barrier.

"Thank you Mrs Fields I just really-"

"Alison," Mrs Fields cut her off sharply. "Emily is not coping well, its really not a good time."

"Please," Alison begged. "I just need her to know how sorry I am, that I still love-"

"She's with her family, Alison, where she should be," Mrs Fields firmly stated.

"I'm her family," Alison retorted.

Mrs Fields' glare hardened and Alison tried to look apologetic.

"Please, Mrs Fields, please," Alison begged but the older woman would not budge.

"Sometime next week perhaps," was all Mrs Fields offered.

And Alison knew that was as good as a no and possibly never.

"But-"

"Alison," Mrs Fields sharply snapped. "My daughter has been through a lot and its from associating with you that that happened."

"I didn't-"

"I know you didn't mean for any of this to happen, but," Mrs Fields shook her head sadly. "You're no good for her right now, Alison, you just bring everything back."

Alison hung her head and found herself nodding, Mrs Fields was right, Emily was traumatized and needed to recover, Alison was a part of the trauma whether she wanted to believe it or not.

"ALI!"

The shout from upstairs startled Mrs Fields and Alison pushed past the older woman, not caring about the consequences, Emily was in pain. She bolted up the stairs ignoring Pam Fields crying out for her to stop and dashed into Emily's room.

Mr Fields was on the bed holding his shaking daughter to him, she'd obviously awoken from a nightmare, tears streaming down her beautiful face and Alison's heart broke all over again at the sight of her mermaid.

"Alison," Mr Fields began softly, rocking his daughter. "I really don't think you should be here."

"Ali?" Emily asked in disbelief lifting her head from her father's neck.

"Em," Ali breathed trying to dislodge the mountain of pain that had risen from her stomach and settled in her chest.

"Emmy," Mr Fields gently directed his daughter's gaze to his own. "You need to rest and Alison needs to go home."

"No, please," Emily begged her father, grabbing for him tightly. "Please I don't want to sleep."

Alison tried to control her breathing at the sight of Emily frantically begging her father to not make her sleep. She knew all to well what nightmares lay behind closed eyelids.

"Can I.." Alison faulted as Mr Fields looked to her sharply. "Its the nightmares right, Em?"

Emily looked to her with wide frightened eyes before she nodded slowly.

"I've had those ones, were you wake up in a cold sweat and for a moment.. for a moment they feel real," Alison whispered as she edged towards the bed.

Emily watched her like a wild and frightened animal.

"But their not, you're safe, its over," Alison nodded as she gulped.

"They were gonna hurt…," Emily whispered burrowing into her father.

"Shh Emmy we don't need to talk about this," her father assured her with a pointed glare at Alison. "I think you should go."

Alison nodded though it hurt so much to do as he said. She moved over to the door on feet that felt like lead and her heart crying out that she couldn't possibly leave Emily like this, but she didn't have a choice.

"Wait," Emily called softly, so softly Alison almost believed she'd imagined it.

"Emmy-" Mr Fields started.

"No, Dad," Emily countered sharply. "I want Ali here."

Alison turned back tears already blurring her vision.

"Emmy, Alison is busy and-"

"Theres no where else I'd rather be Mr Fields," Alison told him defiantly blinking away her tears. "No where else I should be."

Mr Fields scrutinized Alison for a long time but she didn't waver once under his gaze. If Emily needed her she was staying.

"Ok," Mr Fields relented with a heavy sigh. "But only for an hour and please just try to rest Emmy."

Emily nodded as her father pressed a long kiss to her forehead, he moved off the bed slowly and looked over Alison again. Alison met his gaze but tried to keep the scowl from her face, this man loved his daughter and he was obviously just trying to do what he thought was best.

"I'm glad you're ok, Alison," he told her gently patting her shoulder as he left the room.

She wasn't ok Alison decided as she edged towards the bed, but she would be, when Emily wasn't trapped in her own mind reliving every terrible thing that had happened to her because she dared to care about Alison DiLaurentis.

"Hey," Alison whispered softly so as not to startle Emily.

"Hi," Emily meekly responded.

"Is it ok if I.." Alison gestured to the bed and Emily nodded hesitantly.

Alison slid next to Emily softly trying so hard not to make any sudden or jarring movements, Emily watched her like a hawk. Finally the blonde settled so that she was laying beside Emily on top of the covers while Emily lay beneath them.

"I hate this room," Emily murmured, laying her head on Alison's shoulder.

Ali stayed perfectly still afraid she may dislodged Emily if she reacted at all.

"How come?" she asked softly, tracing a pattern on the bedspread to distract herself from Emily's warm breath hitting her neck.

"They… we were in exact replicas of our rooms," Emily muttered. "Isolated and closed off from everyone."

"Em the doors wide open, see," Alison pointed to the open door. "You're not trapped."

"Sometimes it feels like I can't breathe in here," Emily admitted softly.

Alison sat up slowly and looked to her mermaid. Emily was so empty, Alison could see, even when she was nervous and afraid of herself Emily was never this broken.

Alison pushed Emily gently out of her neck.

"Come on," Alison softly commanded climbing out of the bed.

"Where are you going?" Emily asked frightfully.

"We," Alison stressed. "Are going downstairs? I'll carry all the blankets, you're in charge of the pillows."

Emily just stared at her.

"If you can't breathe in here then we won't stay here," Alison softly stated, she moved a stray hair out of Emily's eyes. "Trust me, mermaid."

Emily nodded slowly and slipped from the bed.

Alison beamed at her as she stripped the bed of its covers, Emily grabbing several pillows and following Alison down the stairs.

"Alison what on earth?" Mrs Fields questioned as Alison carried her bundle.

"We're relocating, Mrs Fields," Alison politely pointed out, though her tone was not a suggestion.

Mrs Fields looked ready to scold Alison but a light giggle sounded on the steps behind Alison, Mrs Fields looked as bewildered as Alison felt, joyful but shocked. Emily had giggled. Alison beamed at Mrs Fields and the woman nodded covering her mouth.

"Excuse me," she muttered as she fled the room.

This whole family had a lot of healing to do, Alison noted but Emily was giggling and nothing could take that away from Alison.

Alison settled all the blankets into a nest over the couch, Emily adding the two pillows and suddenly they had a cosy fort instead of a sofa.

"After you," Alison offered with a little flourish and Emily giggled again sliding into the blankets, she looked like a fluffy marshmallow with just her face showing.

Alison thought it was the most adorable thing she had seen.

"Am I going to fit?" Alison joked.

Emily looked around herself and then nodded to Alison, lifting up part of the blanket so Ali could slip under it. Not one to refuse such an offer, Alison climbed in and sat next to Emily, her own face the only thing poking out of the blanket.

Emily yawned and it made Ali smile.

"You wanna lay down?" Ali asked gently.

Emily nodded.

"Alright just let me," Alison started to move back out of the blankets when Emily grabbed her arm.

Tingles shot up Alison's arm as Emily held her still.

"Please.." Emily begged, before looking away.

"Hey, Em," Alison called softly.

Emily finally met her eyes again tears gathering in frustrated brown orbs, like she knew what she wanted but couldn't or didn't want to ask.

"Whatever you need," Alison promised trying to muster a smile.

Emily nodded and took a deep breath.

"Will you lay down with me?" Emily asked hesitantly.

"Of course," Alison breathed. "Always."

Alison repositioned herself and laid down across the couch as Emily jumped up, when Emily settled herself back onto the couch, she lay herself pretty much on top of Alison. Ali froze not wanting to spook Emily and gave the brunette all the time in the world to move Alison and herself where ever she wanted.

Emily finally resettled herself over Ali, her head tucked under Ali's chin and her ear pressed to Alison's thundering heart.

"Is this ok?" Alison asked softly as she tentatively stroked Emily's hair.

"Mmm," Emily murmured nuzzling into Alison, and breathing in deeply.

Alison tried to lower her heart rate and slowly settled into a comfortable beat, so comfortable in fact Emily was asleep in minutes. Softly snoring into the blonde's chest. Alison sighed stroking Emily's hair, Em didn't deserve any of this.

"I love you, mermaid," Ali whispered to the sleeping girl on her chest.

Alison awoke hours later to Emily drooling into her shoulder, which was adorable and wet. She could have happily lay under Emily forever but her bladder reminded her why she had awoken, it was dark in the lounge room as Alison shuffled Emily to the back of the couch and rolled them as gently as possible. Emily snuffled a little but didn't wake as Alison slipped out of her arms. Alison looked at her mermaid for a long moment before she remembered why she was up and bolted for the bathroom upstairs.

Her bladder relieved Alison headed down the stairs slowly to come face to face with Mrs Fields.

"I'm glad you're up," Mrs Fields told Alison with a small smile.

"Thank you for letting me stay," Alison politely responded.

"Emily hasn't slept this long all week," Pam sighed. "We should talk I'll make you something to eat."

"Oh no Mrs Fields I-"

"I insist please, Alison, we need to talk," Mrs Fields' tone left no room for arguing and Alison nodded trailing behind the woman obediently.

Mr Fields was already in the kitchen when Alison entered behind Pam. Emily's parents stared at her for a moment and Alison shifted anxiously on her feet. Was this the bit were they teared her apart for storming into their house and upheaving their fragile daughter.

"We just, we wanted to thank you Alison," Wayne told her.

Alison stared at him dumbfounded.

"Veronica Hastings told us what you did for the girls, what you were willing to do," Mrs Fields choked out.

Mr Fields put his arm around his wife.

"She called while you were sleeping.. thank you Alison," Wayne smiled at her warmly. "That was very brave what you did."

"I would do anything for your daughter, sir," Alison stated boldly.

Wayne smiled brighter at that and Pam let go of her husband and threw her arms around Alison.

"Thank you for bringing my baby back," Pam cried as she squeezed Ali. "Twice."

Alison nodded, overwhelmed as Pam pulled back and kissed her forehead.

"I just don't understand why she can't sleep-"

"Andrew and Bethany," Alison still felt a shiver run up her spine at the mention of those psychos. "They had the girls in replicas of their rooms, locked in, they made their bedrooms into their own personal prisons."

Pam covered her mouth in horror.

"She said she couldn't breath in there," Alison softly admitted knowing this was hurting the Fields but they needed to know.

"And we forced her into her room," Pam sobbed.

"We didn't know," Wayne told his wife. "She never said, Pam please-"

"Mr Fields is right, Mrs Fields, Em only told me because I was asking the right questions I guess and I thought-"

"Thank you," Pam choked out. "Oh Emmy, my poor baby."

Wayne squeezed his wife quickly and Alison felt like she was intruding on a personal moment she debated going back to the lounge room when Pam pulled away from Wayne.

"Let me make you something to eat," Pam wiped at her eyes as she moved over to the cabinets. "A sandwich perhaps."

"I-"

"Its probably better if you just let her cook," Wayne whispered.

"Thank you Mrs Fields that would be great," Alison smiled warmly at the woman. Wayne nodded his approval at Alison.

"Take a seat, take a seat," Pam ushered Alison to a seat at the kitchen table and Wayne chuckled sitting himself across from Alison.

"So Alison what are your intentions with my daughter?" He asked seriously.

"I.. um.. we-" Alison spluttered.

Wayne cracked a smile and Alison took in a relieved breath seeing that Emily's father was kidding. Wayne's smile fell as he caught movement behind Alison. The blonde turned to find Emily lurking in the doorway, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"Emmy," Wayne called. "Did we wake you, sweetheart?"

Emily shook her head and stumbled into the kitchen.

"I woke up and Ali was gone," Emily muttered sleepily.

"Sorry Em I went to bathroom and then-"

Alison's breath hitched as Emily pushed Alison's chair out and crawled into the blonde's lap. Not expecting this at all Alison held her hands out fearful of spooking Em. Emily settled across her lap grumbled something incoherent and pulled Alison's arms around herself.

"She gets cuddly when she's sleepy," Wayne shared with a chuckle.

Alison could see that he was right and wrapped her arms securely around Emily as the brunette burrowed into her neck, sighing contentedly against Alison's skin once she was being held. It warmed Ali's heart as Emily snuggled into the blonde and closed her eyes.

"Emmy maybe you should sit on your own chair," Wayne suggested when Pam sat a sandwich in front of Alison.

"Oh no she's fine," Alison quickly interceded not wanting to move Emily, it was as much a comfort to her as it was to Emily. "She's perfect."

Emily mumbled into her neck and Alison giggled, picking up her sandwich with one hand.

"What was that, mermaid?" Ali asked leaning down to hear Emily better.

"I said what are you eating?" Emily asked again turning her head in Ali's neck so she could see the table.

"Its peanut butter and jelly," Pam jumped in. "Can I make you something, honey?"

From Mrs Fields' tone Alison gathered Emily hadn't been eating much either.

"Want half?" Ali asked, holding out a sandwich square.

Emily took it with a sleepy yawn and nodded to Ali in thanks. Alison pressed a kiss to Emily's forehead as the brunette chewed like a sleepy koala.

Alison took her own piece of sandwich with her free hand, the other stroking Emily's back. Pam and Wayne were watching them carefully and Ali tried to smile.

"You should stay with us, Alison," Wayne offered after Emily asked her mother for another sandwich, Pam almost bursting into tears.

"Oh," Alison responded caught off guard by the lovely offer. "Thats very kind, sir but I have to look after Pepe my dog and-"

"Pepe's back?" Emily looked up excitedly.

Alison stroked Emily's back with a chuckle.

"Yes, Pepe's back and he missed you a lot," Alison told her with a warm smile.

"I missed him too I tried to look for him after.."

"I know," Alison gave Emily's hip a squeeze trying to convey her understanding. "The police found him in the woods, he actually stopped Andrew and Bethany from what I heard."

"Pepe saves the day," Emily giggled.

Alison caught Wayne smiling sadly as he quickly wiped at his eyes, his daughter's giggling obviously affecting him.

"So you can't stay?" Emily pouted.

Alison shook her head sadly, she wanted to, god did she want to but Pepe needed her at the DiLaurentis house.

"Bring Pepe," Pam offered, setting another sandwich in front of Emily.

Emily nodded enthusiastically as she took a bite of her second sandwich.

"Really?" Alison asked trying to keep her own excitement in check. "You wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not," Wayne waved Alison's concerns off. "He is toilet trained right?"

Pam blanched for a second in horror and Alison chuckled nodding her head. The older woman's relief was hilarious.

"Well go get him and you can stay tonight," Wayne suggested.

Alison was still so overwhelmed by the offer that Pam took her silence to be hesitance.

"Alison please, Emily needs her family and that includes you," Pam smiled.

Emily snuggled into Ali happily.

"Well how can I say no to that," Alison smiled squeezing Emily to her.

Emily perked up for a moment.

"Where.. where is Ali going to sleep?" Emily stuttered not meeting anyones eyes.

Alison looked to Emily's parents who exchanged a quick look.

"Well if you're both comfortable on the couch you can stay there," Wayne suggested. "At least until we get your room renovated, Emmy."

Emily's frightened eyes locked to her father.

"Alison told us about the room and we'll fix it Em, whatever we need to do to make that room safe, we will," Wayne promised reaching across the table for his daughter's hand.

Emily tentatively took it and gave her father's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Thank you, Dad," Emily whispered. "Mom."

Pam nodded trying to keep her tears under control.

"You can have our room if you need to, Emmy," Pam added.

"Whoa now, no one said that," Wayne joked and Pam let out a watery chuckle.

Alison giggled into Emily's shoulder and Emily smiled at her father. It wasn't all patched up perfectly but they were getting there Alison decided. She sighed into Emily's shoulder, she would do everything in her power to make Emily feel safe again, to make her mermaid whole again.

Exactly as Alison predicted Pepe was all over Emily the minute she got him in the door, he bolted for the brunette and jumped excitedly, barking till Emily crouched down and he could lick at her face.

"Hi Pepe," Emily giggled through his furious kisses.

"He's certainly affectionate," Pam noted with a little apprehension.

"He's really friendly, mom," Emily promised through her bath in dog slobber.

"Pepe knock it off," Alison ordered but Pepe ignored her.

"Very obedient," Wayne quipped with a laugh.

Alison couldn't even scold the dog as he continued to make Emily giggle.

"We'll let you all settle in," Wayne chuckled directing his wife out. Pam looked wearily at Pepe but followed her husband out.

"Don't stay up too late," Pam called.

Emily tried to sit up on her knees as Pepe pressed himself against her.

"I'm pretty sure he missed you more than he missed me," Alison pouted.

"He did not," Emily squealed as Pepe jumped on her.

"Ok now I'm a little jealous," Alison admitted, crossing her arms.

"He loves you Ali, you shouldn't be jealous of me," Emily smiled ruffling Pepe's fur.

"Who said I was jealous of you?" Alison smirked.

Emily ducked her head and blushed, Alison got a tiny thrill as Emily tried to play off her embarrassment with an awkward cough.

"You just love everyone don't you, Pepe," Emily cooed, petting him.

Pepe happily wagged his tail and soaked up all of Emily's affections, not that Alison blamed him in the slightest.

Alison stretched into a yawn and sat on the couch, still covered in blankets and pillows.

"Tired?" Emily asked looking over Ali.

Alison nodded laying down on the couch.

"I haven't been getting much sleep either," Ali admitted softly.

"You can stay in my room.. if you want," Emily suggested petting Pepe with singular focus.

"Do you want me to sleep in there?" Alison asked trying to keep the hurt out of her voice.

Maybe Emily wanted the couch for herself.

Emily shook her head.

"I just, you'd be more comfortable," Emily muttered.

"Em," Alison called Emily sad brown eyes met her own. "I'm only comfortable when I'm with you, but if you're not comfortable-"

"No," Emily cut her off quickly. "No I want to stay with you."

Alison smiled gently. Pepe licked at Emily's chin when he felt he was being ignored.

"I think Pepe wants to stay too," Emily giggled.

"He has excellent taste," Alison praised rolling onto her back.

She closed her eyes for a second trying to stifle another yawn, she felt the couch dip some as Emily climbed back over her and settled into Alison's shoulder half on top of the blonde.

"Ali," Emily whispered once she was settled.

"Mmm?" Alison answered, slowly slipping into sleep.

"Thank you," Emily whispered so softly Ali almost didn't hear it.

"Anytime, Em," Alison assured Emily wrapping her arms around the girl.

Emily pressed a kiss to Ali's cheek and the blonde felt herself flush. It was innocent and light but it spoke volumes.

"Goodnight, Ali," Emily breathed into Alison's neck.

"Goodnight, Em," Alison echoed tightening her hold on her mermaid.

Pepe curled up over their feet and completed their happy warm pile of love.