Hi everyone.
I know, it's not the weekend yet but I'm back. :-) I had some unexpected time today to do some editing so I thought I'd post what I could.
This isn't all of what was originally supposed to be chapter 4, but that's okay. I felt bad leaving you all hanging about Noel and figured I'd give you what I could, at least.
Anyway, thanks as always to everyone for the kind words and reviews. It means a lot. Thanks for reading.
Enjoy.
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Chapter 4
"What part of I'm not interested did you not understand?"
She heard Alison's voice even before she rounded the corner of her building and Emily knew that tone. That tone was reserved only for people who were clearly too stupid to realize Alison DiLaurentis was at her breaking point.
Considering their conversation earlier, Emily wasn't surprised. She imagined Alison was still on edge. Emily certainly was. But then again, Emily was the one being lied to.
"I'll make it worth your while."
"Not in this lifetime," Alison snapped. "Get lost, jerk."
Emily slowed to a stop as she saw Alison seated on top of one of the picnic tables just to the left of the dorm entrance. Her feet were on the bench and she was leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. Her long blonde hair was tousled, which was odd because Alison usually had every hair in place. Emily's brow furrowed. That was a telltale sign Ali was definitely still agitated, so agitated that she'd been running her fingers through her hair in frustration for god only knows how long.
Three guys, who Emily recognized lived on the second floor of her dorm, were standing just to the right of the table. And of course Alison was surrounded by guys.
Emily approached and Alison looked up immediately, her stormy eyes filling with relief.
"Hi," Emily said as she came to a stop beside Alison.
"Hey," Ali greeted as she reached for Emily's hand. She just needed to touch her. She titled her head, her eyes now questioning. "How did your exam go?"
Emily squeezed Alison's hand gently. "I did fine, Ali."
Ali lifted Emily's hand up to her face. She held it against her cheek for a second before turning her face and kissing Emily's palm. "I knew you would."
"Wait a minute? Are you two together?" the guy closest to Alison asked.
Ali glared at him. "I told you I was here visiting my girlfriend."
"What a waste," the other guy moaned and Emily raised an eyebrow as she looked at him.
"Yeah, but we just assumed you meant a girl who was a friend," the third guy chimed in simultaneously.
"It's not my fault you misunderstood me," Ali snapped. "You should learn to listen more closely."
"Hey, aren't you on the swim team?" The first guy asked.
Emily nodded. "Yeah, JV."
"Are all the female swimmers dykes?"
"Okay, you know what asshole, it's time for you to go," Alison said acidly as she stood and stepped down from the table. She started forward but Emily grabbed her around the waist.
"Whoa, Ali, relax," Emily soothed against Alison's ear as the blonde struggled in her arms. Damn, Ali really was at her breaking point. This was not good.
But Emily was used to this crap. College guys seemed either fascinated or disgusted when they found out she was gay. It either didn't bother them and they thought it was cool, like Adam, or they scoffed at how wrong it was for a good looking girl like her to not be into guys. At first it irritated her but she eventually realized it wasn't worth it. People were jerks, especially college guys.
"Damn, retract your claws, girl. I was just asking a question."
"Why don't you guys just get lost, huh," Emily said as Alison stopped struggling but continued to glare daggers at them.
"Yeah and stop hitting on girls who have no interest in you. Learn to take no for an answer the first time."
"Crazy, bitch," they last guy muttered as he walked into the dorm.
"Hey, watch your mouth," Emily warned but the door to the dorm just slammed shut.
She released Ali and stepped back. "Well, that was interesting," she said dryly.
"Those guys were total dicks." Alison sat down on the bench and Emily sat beside her. Ali looked at her out of the corner of her eye. "I'm glad your exam went okay. I was worried you were too upset to focus."
"I told you it was fine, Ali."
Ali bit her lips nervously. "I want to tell you about Noel, now," she said after a minute of uncomfortable silence.
Emily looked surprised, not expecting her to say that after her insistence on dropping it earlier. "I thought you wanted to wait until we were alone?"
"We won't be alone until Wednesday night and I don't want him hanging over us for the next few days. I can't stand this tension." Ali growled.
Emily looked at her. "Then just tell me the truth, Ali. Did the two of you hook up or something?"
Alison's head whipped up and she looked at Emily, her eyes flashing. "Em, I already told you there is nothing between me and Noel."
"That's not what I asked you. I asked you if something specific happened between you." Emily paused for a second before continuing. "Sometimes shit happens and you do things you regret. People get carried away."
"Do you really think I would do that, that I could do that, to you?" Alison's tone was hurt. "After everything?"
"Not really," Emily admitted as she sighed. "But you're acting really cagey Alison."
Alison stood up and starting pacing in front of the picnic table. "Not really? That's your answer? Not Really? God, I'm going to murder him."
"What happened, Ali?" Emily asked again.
Alison stopped pacing and turned to look at Emily. "He knew I was missing you, so much. I was aching for you and I was almost ready to crack. I had just asked my dad for this trip and he hadn't given me his answer yet. So, Noel came over and dragged me to that club that opened over the summer on Market Street."
"The one in Philly?"
"Yeah," Ali nodded her head.
"How did you even get in it? It's an over twenty-one club." Alison just shot Emily a look. "I thought you got rid of all your fake ID's?"
"Not all of them. How do you think I was able to rent a car when I got here?"
Emily just sighed and indicated with her hand for Alison to continue.
"Anyway, I drank way too much. We both did so we just crashed at a friend of his in the city. The alcohol interacted with my new meds and so I got twice as drunk twice as fast and-"
"Whoa, back up a minute?" Emily interrupted. "What new meds? What kind of medication are you on?"
"Em, can you just focus for a minute please?" Ali twisted her hands together anxiously. "I should have known better. The doctor warned me not to drink alcohol. I passed out as soon as I hit the sofa. It wasn't until the next morning that I even knew, really, where I was."
"Did Noel do something to you while you were passed out?" Emily asked, horror filling her as she imagined the worst.
"I was dreaming about you. I dream about you a lot, you know," she admitted, smiling softly.
"Ali, answer my question."
"I'm trying to," Alison snapped, then heaved in a deep breath as she walked closer to Emily. "Sometimes I love dreaming about you because it makes me feel closer to you. Other times it makes me miss you so much more and I wake up aching all over from it."
"Ali-" Emily started but Ali interrupted and continued.
"Anyway, I don't know how long it was before I realized that it wasn't just a dream and someone was really kissing me. For a split second I thought it was really you. I wanted it to be you so bad but I knew it wasn't your lips. I opened my eyes and saw Noel. I pushed him off me and punched him in the mouth."
"My god, Ali, did he?" Emily choked, her face filled with horror.
Alison took the last step to Emily, immediately, and tilted her face up. "No, Em. He's a dick but he wouldn't do something like that. Even Noel Kahn isn't the kind of total creep to take advantage of a passed out girl."
Emily felt her entire body sag with relief. Alison noticed and cupped Emily's face in her hands. "Hey, it's okay. He just kissed me. Nothing else happened. I promise."
Emily grasped Alison's wrists. "How do you know for sure? How do you know he didn't do something to you while you were passed out?"
Alison released Emily's face. "Because I would have known. I was fully dressed and my clothes were completely intact."
"He could have felt you up at least."
"He could have, but he told me he didn't. He said I was making these soft little whimpering noises and saying your name in my sleep. He thought I was having a nightmare, so he came over to wake me up."
"Sure he did," Emily scoffed but Ali didn't disagree. She didn't believe him either, but she was just telling Emily what Noel told her.
"So why didn't you just tell me." Emily's voice was full of accusation.
Alison took a small step back. "I didn't want to tell you on the phone."
"Why not?"
Ali looked at Emily sadly. "Because I needed to look you in the eyes when I did. You needed to see the truth in my eyes."
"Ali, I would have believed you."
Ali sat on the bench and took Emily's hand in hers, relieved when Emily didn't pull away. "Em, I know we've come a long way. And I know you trust me. I hope you trust me. But there is still part of you that doesn't trust me not to lie."
"Ali, that's not true."
"Now who's lying?" Ali raised an eyebrow in challenge.
Emily started to protest but Alison cut her off. "I get it Em, I don't blame you." Alison pulled Emily's hand in her lap and threaded her fingers through Emily's. "Sometimes it's hard, you know. I lied for so long about so much; lies would just pour out of my mouth automatically. When I was gone I had to lie to everyone I met. Everyone." Alison emphasized as she smiled ruefully. "Sometimes I have to bite my tongue before I say anything. I know you've noticed how sometimes I'll start to speak, and then I'll stop."
Emily nodded her head.
"For a lot of people that would look like they're trying to come up with a lie. But that's just me trying not to lie. I bite my tongue to stop the lie from coming out." Alison looked and saw Emily's eyes flash with sorrow. "I don't have to do it that much anymore, but it still happens sometimes."
"You hardly ever do that with me anymore."
"That's because I made you a promise. And I will live up to it, Em." Alison said her voice full of conviction. "I will spend the rest of my life proving to you that you can trust me."
"Ali, you shouldn't have to do that."
"But I will," Ali said simply.
"Ali, I've never said much about your friendship with Noel because I know it was kind of a sore subject, but I don't like it."
"Em, it's complicated."
Emily huffed out a frustrated breath. "Yeah you always say that but then you never tell me why it's so complicated. I know he helped you when you were on the run."
"Only because I blackmailed him actually."
"Well that's my point. I know you and he had a thing, but-"
"But that was a long time ago," Ali jumped in before Emily could go to a place Ali couldn't bear to go. "And it wasn't a thing as much as a fling. It only happened twice. It was about sex and comfort, Em, I told you that. I was all alone. For so long I had been all alone. He was the lesser of the two evils I guess."
"So why are you still friends with him now? If you weren't really friends, then, and you had to blackmail him to help you by using his own secrets against him, whatever they are, I just don't get it. You don't owe him anything. Especially now. He totally overstepped the boundaries."
"I'm not arguing with you, Em. He disrespected both us with what he did, not just me. "
"Then can you please explain it to me then?" Emily was so frustrated she wanted to scream. "It's not my place to tell you who you should and shouldn't be friends with but he's toxic, Ali, and he clearly wants you."
"Is that was bothers you the most?"
Emily pulled her hand away from Ali's.
"What bothers me is that he put his mouth on you without your permission And you didn't tell me about it right when it happened. And you're sitting her making excuses for him."
"I'm not making excuses and I haven't seen or spoken to him since it happened. After I punched him in the mouth I took a cab back from Philly. And I wanted to tell you that day. I really did. But I was so afraid you wouldn't believe me."
Emily sighed as she looked around, finally closing her eyes. "Oh, Ali."
"Don't 'oh, Ali' me. I don't need your pity and I don't want it. You don't think I know I brought all this on myself? That all this is completely my fault for being a lying, selfish horrible bitch for so long."
"Ali, nothing you did brought on or excuses him touching you without your permission."
Ali's head fell back and she sighed. "That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about you and me."
"What about us?" Emily asked.
"About both of us expecting me to disappoint you. And me living up to it."
Emily blinked, surprised. "I don't expect you to disappoint me."
"Don't you?" Alison didn't look convinced.
"No," Emily said firmly. "I expect you to be honest with me."
"Em, I am more honest with you than anyone else on this planet. I don't want to keep anything from you."
"That's all I've ever asked for, Ali."
Emily looked thoughtful and Alison sat quietly letting her digest everything.
"Is there anything else?" Emily asked after several minutes.
"Not about Noel," Ali replied quickly.
"But there is more you have to tell me?"
Ali nodded. "Yes."
"Do you want to talk about it now?" Emily asked cautiously.
Ali shook her head. "No."
"You know there isn't anything you can't tell me, right?"
Ali stood again, needing some distance and she hated it. She hated any kind of distance from Emily now, physical or emotional.
"I know. But I'm a lot to handle, you know. I come with a lot of baggage. I worry I'm going to overwhelm you someday and you're going to decide I'm just too much." Alison admitted softly, the knot in her chest tightening again.
Emily grabbed her hand and tugged her closer so Ali was standing right in front of her. "Ali that will never happen. I love you."
Alison's eyes fluttered and she sighed at Emily's words. "I know you do." And she did. She knew Emily loved her. But would it always be enough?
Emily brushed her thumb over Ali's palm. "I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions earlier. I knew in my heart that you wouldn't have done anything like that, but I just-"
"You just reacted," Ali finished for her. "Like I said, I get it. I know I gave you a hundred reasons to doubt me in the past, but I will never give you a reason to doubt me again."
Emily sighed and looked down. Alison tilted her head at the heavy sound and crouched down in front Emily. "Em, you know you don't have anything to be jealous of. Not of anyone. Not Noel," Ali emphasized as she put her hand on Emily's knee, squeezing it gently. "Not any stupid frat boys, or those dicks that were just here or any girl on the planet." Emily looked away and chewed on her bottom lip. It made Ail want to kiss her breathless. "Tell me you know this."
"I know, Ali." Emily's voice was soft.
"That doesn't sound very convincing. God, how can you not know that?" Ali moved closer and placed her other hand on Emily's other knee. She titled her face up so she could look Emily in the eyes. "Em, look at me." Emily's eyes met Ali's. "Every part of me is yours."
Emily decided since they were both being completely honest, it's time she put it out there. "It's just hard sometimes because I know you're attracted to guys too."
"Em, I'm not attracted to anyone but you anymore."
"Ali," Emily started but Ali interrupted her voice fierce.
"What? It's true. I'm not blind, Em. Neither of us is. We're going to come across people we find attractive. But it doesn't matter because I'm fully committed to you. I love you, Emily Fields. I'm so crazy in love with you I can't see straight half the time, never mind see anyone else."
Emily leaned down and pressed her forehead to Alison's, closing her eyes. "I love you so much, Ali."
Alison's breath hitched at Emily's soft heartfelt words and she tilted her face up and pressed a kiss to Emily's lips. Emily moaned as she stood and yanked Alison to her feet. Emily pulled Alison closer, wrapping her arms around her, deepening the kiss.
Alison clung to Emily, her arms surrounding Emily's waist, pressing her hands into Emily's back, clutching the brunette desperately.
Their lips broke apart a few minutes later when they both needed oxygen.
Emily rested her forehead against Alison's again. "Alison, what were you talking about earlier? Why are you on medication?"
Alison's body tensed for a second before sagging against Emily. She opened her blue eyes and they were full of conflict. "Can we please leave that one until after Wednesday?"
"Okay," Emily relented after a beat. "But just tell me, are you alright?"
Alison nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I promise."
"Okay," Emily said softly before grabbing her bag from the bench. She took Alison's hand in hers again and turned toward the dorm.
"Let's go drop this in my room and then we'll go to the village for lunch."
Alison tugged on Emily's hand to stop her retreat. Emily turned around and looked at her curiously.
Alison lunged at her, causing Emily to stumble back, but she regained her footing, dropping her bag to the ground and grasping Alison around the waist. Alison fused her mouth to Emily's, her kiss desperate and needy, bruising, a frantic clashing of tongue and teeth, and Emily met her with the same ferocity.
Alison shoved her hands into Emily's hair and held on, jumping and wrapping her legs around Emily's waist. The movement caused Emily to stumble back again and her back hit the brick wall of the dorm.
Emily's hands slid down and gripped Alison's ass, hiking her up higher in her arms, then she turned and pressed Alison against the wall. Alison bucked her hips, tightening her legs around Emily's waist as Emily tore her lips away from the kiss, her lips moving lower to clamp on Alison's neck. Alison's head fell back in surrender and hit the brick, but she ignored the sting.
Emily pressed her thigh against Alison and Alison moaned before she gripped Emily's face in her hands and pulled her lips up to meet her own. This kiss was gentler this time, but still desperate. Alison panted into Emily's mouth as the kiss softened until it was just a soft sipping of lips as they slowly caught their breath.
Alison's eyes fluttered open when Emily pulled back. Blue eyes met brown, repentance and forgiveness and love reflected in both, and Emily smiled as she lowered her lips to Alison's once more.
"Fuck, Em," Alison whispered against Emily's lips and Emily chucked in response.
Fuck, indeed.
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"I don't know about you Di, but isn't defiling public furniture against campus policy?"
Emily removed her lips from Alison's throat, lifted her head from the crook of her neck, and looked over from where she was currently straddling her girlfriend on one of the common room sofas.
The pathetic sound of Alison's groan filled the room as Kira and Diana approached. "Damn it, can't a girl get felt up by her girlfriend in private around here?"
Kira perched on the back of the sofa and looked down at the two girls as Emily slid her hand back down Alison's stomach and out from under her shirt, tugging it down over her belly button.
"Not when she's in the common room."
Alison was laying on her back while Emily leaned over her, on her hands and knees, and both girls were flushed and glowing from what had been turning out to be a pretty decent make out session.
After having it out over the Noel thing and attacking each other, almost violently, outside the dorm, they both felt so much better. They still had more to talk about certainly, especially about whether or not Ali would continue to be friends with Noel, but now that the truth was out and the stress of it was passed, both girls were eager to get back to the carefree, romantic week Alison had planned for them. And they had been doing a damn good job of it until Kira and Diana arrived.
"Why are you always cock blocking us?" Alison lamented with a roll of her eyes. "Metaphorically speaking," she added when all three girls, including her traitorous girlfriend, burst out laughing.
"Now that is something I never thought I'd hear coming from you."
"Don't you people have studying to do or something?" Alison shifted and reached up to grasp Emily's hips when Emily started to sit back. She hooked her calf around the back of Emily's thigh to hold her girlfriend in place over her. She intended for Emily to go right back to what she was previously doing as soon as Alison could get rid of the interlopers.
"Nah," Diana said as she sat in the chair, grinning. "Everyone is blowing it off tonight in honor of Emily's taking up anchor tomorrow."
Alison smiled up at Emily, her fingers brushing softly over the skin just above the waistband of her pants, so very proud of her mermaid. Her performance at practice earlier had blown everyone's mind, including her coach, who was giving her a chance in the meet tomorrow.
Emily's body jerked softly when Kira swatted her on the ass.
"I freaking knew you would do it."
"Ow," Emily grunted and reached back to rub her butt.
"Hey, keep your hands off my girl's ass," Alison reached her hand out, trying to swat Kira, but the girl just moved out of the way laughing. She plopped down in the chair next to Diana.
Emily flattened her body on top of Alison's, tangling their legs and resting her head on Alison's shoulder as she turned her face to look at her friends.
"Are all lesbians this possessive of their girlfriends, or is it just you?" Kira asked curiously.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ali narrowed her eyes. "And why do you keep saying that word?"
"What word?" Kira asked, smirking. "Lesbian? I love that word."
Ali looked down into Emily's face. "And I thought I was a freak because I like the smell of chlorine in your hair."
"You what?" Kira asked.
Ali just grinned and pushed her fingers under Emily's hair, flipping it over her head so it could fan out over both their faces. She inhaled deeply. Then she moaned her entire body heating from the inside out, as the faint scent of chlorine from Emily's earlier practice, fused with the scent of her mango shampoo, surrounded them both.
"Girl, you let your freak flag fly. I love that about you."
"Shut up, Kira," Emily laughed as she lifted her head and tried to shake her hair back into place. After a few seconds she felt Alison's fingers gently straightening it, but when she looked down at Ali's face, she was pouting, clearly disappointed that Emily had taken her hair away. Unable to stop herself, Emily leaned down and kissed Ali softly before resting her head on her shoulder again.
"Anyway," Kira ignored. "Lesbian is an awesome word. I just love the way it sounds. And I'm totally girl crushing on both of you right now so I'm just going to say the word at every opportunity I have."
"Shut up, Kira," Emily laughed again. "Do you want Ali to smother you in your sleep?"
"So," Diana interrupted segueing into a new topic. "We're having a movie marathon tonight, you two want to join?"
"That depends on whether or not Em will let me make out with her while we're watching."
"Of course it does," Diana laughed. "As long as hands stay on top of the clothes, no one will care."
"Hey, let's not limit the peep show we might be able to get out of these two," Kira said and Alison grabbed the pillow from behind her head and threw it at Kira.
"Ow," she groaned as her head fell back, and hit the wooden arm of the sofa, the exact same spot she'd slammed against the brick earlier.
"Are you okay there Ali?" Kira asked as she caught the pillow and tucked her beside her.
"No, thanks to you, bitch."
"Can I just say it makes me tingle all over when you call me bitch?"
"Kira, don't antagonize her," Emily pleaded even as she laughed.
Kira sighed dramatically. "Sure, deny me all my fun."
"What are you guys watching tonight anyway?" Emily asked, changing the subject, as she shifted, sliding off Alison, resting between her girlfriend's body and the back of the sofa. She reached behind Ali's head to gently rub the spot she'd hit.
"Hunger Games marathon."
Alison turned on her side to face Kira, pulling Emily's arm around her. She saw Kira smiling and she narrowed her eyes, pulling out the trademark Alison DiLaurentis glare. But Kira didn't even flinch, and Ali's affection and respect for Emily's roommate grew just a little higher.
"I'll pass. I'm going to head to bed early anyway," Emily said.
"What time does the meet start?" Diana asked.
"Eight"
"Whoa, why so freaking early? I thought they're usually in the afternoon," Kira said as she finally tossed the pillow back to Alison. Alison caught it and put it under her head again.
Emily shrugged. "I don't know. I think it has something to do with the short week. But I need a good night sleep anyway."
"Are you going to bed early too?" Kira asked Alison, sarcasm lacing her tone.
Ali narrowed her eyes again as she shook her head. "No, I'll probably watch with you after she goes to sleep. Why, do you want to snuggle? I told you Em doesn't share me."
"But you also said she might be willing to if we both use the gag on her," Kira reminded as Emily glared at her roommate now.
Diana choked out a laugh. "Do I even want to know?"
"No, Emily sighed.
"So, you're gonna watch with us?" Kira asked Alison again.
Alison nodded. "Sure, why not."
Kira grinned and stood. "Cool. I'm off to the library. I'll be back in a few hours."
"I'm going to the quad to get coffee, I'll walk with you," Diana said as she stood to follow Kira.
"Don't desecrate any more furniture around here please. We do have to lie on these sofas later tonight," Kira threw over her shoulder as she walked out of the common room.
"I think I despise her," Alison sighed once Kira and Diana were gone, but her smile gave away her real feelings.
"You don't have to keep engaging her you know. She's just doing it to get a rise out of you."
Alison turned over so she was facing Emily now. "I know, but it's kinda fun sometimes. And I don't let her get to me."
Emily rubbed the spot on the back of her head as a silent reminder, but Ali chose not to acknowledge it.
"How much time do we have before you want to go to bed?"
"I'll go around nine I guess."
"Do you want me to do what I used to do to help you sleep?" Alison's eyes heated again and she smiled impishly as she pressed closer to Emily.
Emily's breath hitched in response. "I don't know. That might actually make me feel more exhausted in the morning."
Alison reached up, placing her hand behind Emily's neck. She lifted her head at the same time she pulled Emily's down to her.
"Not if you let me do all the work," Alison purred and pressed her lips to Emily's.
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Alison wandered into the common room, which had been transformed since her time there earlier. All the sofas and chairs were now in a horseshoe around the flat screen on the far wall. Kira was sprawled on one sofa while Diana and Melanie were sharing another. There were two guys Alison didn't recognize playing a video game on the flat screen with Heather sitting in between them, kicking both their asses at the game.
"Where's Emily?" Kira asked as she looked up.
Alison walked over to stand beside the sofa. "She's in the shower."
"And you didn't try to sneak it there with her?"
"We're waiting until Wednesday night when all of you are gone to do that."
"I promised Emily I wouldn't antagonize you tonight so I'm just going to bite my tongue." Kira waited a beat before she spoke again. "Although I have to ask. Do you really have sex toys in your suitcase and are they waterproof?"
Ali just smiled and didn't reply because she, too, promised Emily she wouldn't antagonize Kira.
Kira scoffed. "God I am so freaking jealous. My roommate is getting more sex in one week than I've gotten all freaking semester."
"I don't know about that.' Diana looked up from her book. "You are kind of a tramp."
"Shut up bitch."
Ali just laughed as she watched the video game on the screen absently.
Kira tilted her head. "We're going to be starting the movie in about twenty minutes."
"I have to put my mermaid to bed properly first."
Kira stood up. "Well, let me just change and get my stuff out then you two can have the room."
"It's not like that," Ali said. "She needs rest tonight. I'm just going to get her relaxed so she can sleep."
"Like I said, you two can have the room," Kira teased and Ali rolled her eyes as they both walked out of the common room. "But just don't be naked on top of the covers when I come in later."
"I'm going to give her a massage. That's it."
Kira nudged Alison's shoulder as she tilted her head. "Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"
Alison shoved Kira in response. "Forget it. I'm over you. I'll come out once she's sleeping."
###################
Alison leaned against the doorjamb, wearing her pajama pants and matching tank top, watching Emily as she sat on the edge of her bed rubbing lotion on her elbows, absently staring at the floor. Her mermaid was nervous about tomorrow, she could tell. She could practically see the wheels turning in Emily's head and Ali wondered if she was ever going to be able to get her to sleep. She told Kira the truth earlier when she said she was only giving Emily a massage, but more drastic measures just might have to be taken.
Emily looked up as she reached for the bottle of lotion on her desk again and smiled when she saw Alison.
"You ready for your massage?" Alison asked as she stepped into the room and closed the door behind her, making sure the latch clicked shut. She flipped the light switch, plunging the room into darkness aside from the small lamp on Emily's desk.
"Ali, you don't have to do that. I'm actually pretty tired. I should be out pretty quick."
Alison smirked. "I thought you liked the massages I gave you after your surgery last spring?"
"You know I did," Emily retorted as she rubbed lotion over her kneecaps. "But they were a lot less about relaxation and a lot more about foreplay."
Alison's eyes twinkled mischievously as she lit several scented candles she'd purchased that afternoon when they were in Westwood Village, and turned off the lamp before pressing play on her IPod. The soft strains of the classical music that Emily liked filled the room.
"Not originally. I started out with very altruistic intentions, but I can't help it that you preferred for me to massage your front more than your back."
"This is true."
Alison took the bottle of lotion from Emily and put it back on the desk. She reached for Emily's hands and pulled her stand in front of her. She tugged Emily's arms around her waist then Ali slid her arms up around Emily's neck.
Emily pulled her close and their lips met in a soft kiss. She hummed softly as Ali gently massaged her scalp. Emily took soft sips of her girlfriend's lips, as Alison's body softened against her own.
Alison felt all the tension leave her body. She pressed closer, needing to be closer, aching to be closer, but the only way she would be able to accomplish that would be to crawl inside Emily.
"Mmmm," Ali murmured as she lowered her arms and started pushing Emily's tank top up. "Come on let's get you out of this."
Emily pulled back and both girls felt the loss as their lips parted. Emily looked into Alison's eyes, ready to protest again, but the look she saw there told her she was never going to win this argument. So she lifted her arms and Ali slipped the shirt over her head.
Alison leaned forward and pressed a kiss over Emily's heart. Emily reached around and tugged Alison's ponytail loose, leaning down and nuzzling Alison's ear.
"I love it when you take care of me like this," Emily admitted softly. "It makes me feel so loved."
Alison smiled softly as she turned her face and nuzzled Emily's cheek. "You are."
Alison pushed Emily's boxer shorts down her hips, leaving her in only her panties, crouching down in front of her and helping her out of them. She fluttered her fingers up the outside of Emily's legs as she stood, her hands finally coming to rest on Emily's hips.
"Lay down on your stomach," Ali said as she turned Emily around and guided her to the bed.
"Are you sure you don't want me on my back?" Emily teased even as she climbed on to her bed and lay face down.
Alison grabbed the lotion from the desk and climbed on to the bed. "Nope. There's no funny business planned for tonight."
Alison straddled Emily and sat gently on her upper thighs. She poured some lotion in her hand and warmed it before pressing her hands against Emily's lower back.
"What if I want funny business?" Emily asked her voice a little breathless as she felt Alison's fingers circling over her skin.
Ali chuckled lowly. "Now you sound like me. I'm usually the one begging for it."
Emily moaned as she felt Alison lean over her. Her fingers pressed deeper into the muscles in Emily's back as she moved them slowly up the outside of her spine. Alison had surprisingly strong fingers and she knew how to use them in a variety of ways that Emily benefited from.
Alison leaned down and spoke softly into Emily's ear. "Just relax, baby. You're way too tense."
Alison's nimble fingers worked Emily's shoulders before she took her hands away and poured more lotion into them. She slowly worked the tension out of Emily's body; focusing on the places she felt knots, pressing soft kisses against Emily's soft skin from time to time.
Alison scooted down to the foot of the bed and rubbed Emily's thighs and calves, making her mermaid moan softly and sleepily.
Ali stood up and pushed her pajama pants to the floor and then lifted her tank top over her head. Emily didn't move. She just grunted out a sleepy question. "Where are you going?"
Alison smiled and she climbed on the bed and straddled Emily, resting her butt on Emily's ass. She leaned down and pressed her lips to Emily's ear again.
"I'm right here. I just needed to save my pajamas from getting lotion all over them when I do this."
Emily sighed softly and then it turned into a low moan as Ali lay flat on her back, stretching out on Emily from head to toe. The hard tips of Ali's nipples pressed into Emily's back and their bare bodies touch everywhere. Alison felt Emily sigh softly beneath her. Her mermaid liked having the blonde's weight on her too.
Alison pressed soft kisses against Emily's shoulder as she let her breathing match Emily's slow pace.
"Ali," Emily whispered after a minute. "Let me turn over."
"No," Alison smiled against her skin. "Just sleep my beauty."
Emily's breathing slowed even more and it wasn't long before she made that small sound in the back of her throat, the one she always made just as she was drifting off to sleep. It was a combination between a whimper and a sigh and Alison loved the sound. She remained where she was for several more minutes to be sure Emily truly was asleep then Alison carefully rose, moving slowly and quietly. She pulled the covers up over Emily's body and pressed one last kiss to her ear before she shut off the music and blew out the candles.
Moonlight shone through the window and illuminated the room enough so Alison could find her pajamas on the floor and slip them back on.
After one last look at Emily, she walked over to the door and out of the room.
##############
Alison walked back into the now dark common room. The only light was coming from the flat screen. The room was still set up in horseshoe but most of the sofas and chairs were empty.
"Grab a seat." Kira motioned to the sofa next to her head and Alison sat down, tucking her feet beneath her.
"Where is everyone?"
Kira shrugged. "Almost everybody flaked. Heather started hooking up with one of those guys so they went back to her room. Diana started snoring so we kicked her out. Mel lost interest when her boyfriend called. You know how it is."
"Why didn't you come back to the room?"
Kira gave her a pointed look. "Is Allison Schmitt asleep?"
"Do you even know who that is?" Alison asked as she arched a brow.
"Hell yeah, 2012 Olympic Gold medalist, 200 metre freestyle. Silver medalist, 400 metre freestyle."
Alison laughed. "I take it Em has made you watch those replays with her?"
"Only about a million times."
"It didn't take you long to give her that massage," Kira said as she sat up.
Ali, for once, didn't take the bait. "She was pretty tired. She was practically out before I even reached her legs."
"Why do you call her your mermaid?" Kira asked out of the blue. "I mean I get the swimming reference, but-"
"If it was just about her swimming, I could call her guppy," Ali replied.
"Kira chuckled. "Touché. But there's just something about the way you say it to her, though, almost like you believe it."
"I do."
"Why?" Kira asked and Alison heard the genuine curiosity in her voice. This wasn't Emily's roommate trying to pry or tease. She genuinely wanted to know.
Ali smiled softly. "Because she's beautiful and unique and exotic in everything she does, not just her swimming."
Kira titled her head. "I love the way you talk about her. I know I give you a lot of shit, Ali, but it really takes my breath away how much you love her."
"She's the love of my life," Ali admitted without any hesitation, her voice reflecting the absolute truth of her words.
Kira's smile softened. "She says the same thing about you, you know."
"I know." Alison felt the warmth and truth of Kira's words fill her until every last empty space inside her was full.
There was an explosion on the screen and Kira reached down to grab the remote and hit mute. "Em says that the two of you have only been dating for about a year, but you've known each other since middle school?"
Ali shot Kira a look. "What else did Em say?"
Kira shook her head casually. "That was really it. She doesn't offer much so I don't pry. Believe it or not."
"I don't think I believe that. At all."
"Hey bitch, you know it's all in good fun."
"You're lucky I like you, Kira, because I don't take the kind of crap I take from you from just anyone."
"Ditto." Kira replied honestly.
"And I only take it because of Emily."
"Ditto again."
Alison smiled and was quiet for a few minutes, both girls just watching the muted movie, before she decided to answer Kira's question. She didn't know what Emily wanted Kira to know about their past so she wasn't going to say much, but she honestly felt she could trust Emily's roommate, something Ali didn't feel about many people at all.
"Em and I have a complicated past. When I was younger I was selfish and mean and bitchy." Alison waited to see if Kira was going to retort but she just remained silent. "I was a total bitch. Truth be told, I'm still kind of a total bitch, but Em makes me want to be a better person. Her love makes me believe I can be."
Alison paused for a beat, wondering if she was saying too much. Emily knew the truth of it all now. They had talked it all out after they got together and most of it was only for Emily's ears, but Ali still felt compelled to finish her story.
"I didn't know what I wanted back then. I was afraid and ashamed of what I felt for her. I'd always dated guys and then I started having all these feelings for her that I couldn't explain or shake. And I took it out on her." Alison shifted the pillow beside her absently, before taking it and placing it on her lap. "I really tried not to but I couldn't stop myself. It was either that or throw myself at her feet and confess everything. So I took the ugly road."
"It couldn't have been that ugly since the two of you are together now."
Alison smiled ruefully. "Oh, it was ugly, trust me." Then her lips curled down in a frown. "I broke her heart into a thousand pieces. Granted, some of it was out of my control, but it was still all my fault. Then I had to watch, from afar, while two other girls put it back together. It killed me and I vowed to myself that if I ever got back to her and she forgave me, I'd spend the rest of my life making it up to her."
"It sounds like you need to forgive yourself," Kira said thoughtfully.
"Not sure if that will ever happen, but as long as she forgives me, I can deal with the rest." Alison looked over to find Kira watching her quietly. But there was no pity or judgment in her eyes, just understanding. "I know what it's like to live without her," Ali continued honestly. "And I'll never do it again."
"You know, you're a lot different than I originally thought, Ali."
Ali tossed the pillow she's been using as a shield to the side. "I'm not quite sure how to take that. Is that a good or a bad thing?"
"No, it's good,' Kira replied. "Emily always talked about how beautiful and amazing you were. And I've seen that and then I've seen the sarcastic, darker side of you, with our banter. And I like that. I totally girl crush on that as you know. I like a girl who can keep up with me. But you also seem a little,' Kira paused. "Damaged."
Ali didn't deny it. "Do continue," she encouraged, wanting to hear what Emily's roommate thought of her. She didn't care about what most people thought of her. Most people despised her. But one thing Alison DiLaurentis did care about was what the people Emily cared about thought of her. And clearly Kira was even more observant than Ali originally gave her credit for.
"That's it really," Kira replied easily. "You just seem a little damaged. But, who isn't, I guess. And I know I haven't known Emily very long at all, but I feel like we really connected and I know her pretty well. Not as well as you, mind you," Kira added in a low teasing voice and it lightened what had become a much too serious conversation, so Alison smiled gratefully. "But she always talked about how you make her feel amazing and beautiful too. She's never said anything about you hurting her in the past. All she can talk about is how you love her now."
"My mermaid is a hopeless romantic," Ali said as she smiled softly.
"And you're not?"
"No." Alison shook her head.
"Why not?"
"Because love can't fix all the broken pieces inside a person. No matter how much you want it to."
"Well if there is anyone who can, it's Emily."
"Yes it is," Ali agreed. "Well I'm getting tired. I'm gonna go in."
Kira nodded. "Okay, I'll be there in a little bit. I just have to watch this to the end. I have to always watch this movie all the way through."
Ali smiled. "Night, Kira."
"Night," Kira said as she took the movie off mute.
Just as Alison was pulling the door to the common room open, Kira's voice rang out. "Oh, by the way, Ali?"
"Yeah," Alison said as she turned around.
"Your shirt is on inside out. It wasn't earlier." Kira smirked.
Alison looked down and saw that indeed it was. Oops.
Ali's lips curved before she replied. "At least I have a shirt on. Keep your eyes off my girl's naked boobs when you come to bed."
Ali heard Kira's laughter halfway down the hall.
###############
Ali stepped into the darkened room again, out of the brightly lit hallway and it took her eyes a minute to adjust.
She took in the sight of Emily still sprawled on the bed sound asleep. She'd shifted a little, turning her face away from the door and the comforter had shifted a little too, exposing more of her bare back.
Alison padded quietly over to the bed and lifted the covers, climbing in and snuggling up against Emily's warm body. She pressed against Emily, tugging the sheet higher to conceal Emily's nakedness.
Sure she teased Kira, but Emily's breasts were for her eyes alone.
Alison brushed some of Emily's hair off her shoulder and kissed the soft skin before slipping her arm around Emily's waist. Ali closed her eyes, feeling her heart sigh a little as she drifted off to sleep.