Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the show or characters of Pretty Little Liars. I'm only borrowing and messing with them for a while.
Thanks to everyone for reading and for all the great reviews. I do try to personally reply to all the reviews if I can, but to those guest reviewers who I can't - I truly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review too.
This chapter is really just the balance of chapter 4 that I didn't get edited Thursday, but now, as a result, it's its own chapter. We're at about the midpoint of the story now, but the pace is going to pick up much faster after this chapter.
Thanks again for reading and enjoy!
Chapter 5
Alison hit the send button when she finished typing her text, before resting her phone on the bench beside her.
She rubbed her hands over her jean clad thighs as she looked down at the pool below, trying to catch a glimpse of her mermaid, but the teams hadn't come out of the locker rooms yet.
Her phone buzzed and she looked at the text, firing off a quick reply before her phone rang in her hand.
She looked at it with some trepidation, half expecting it to be Noel again, but she had blocked his number yesterday.
When she saw the familiar name, she answered. "Hi Spence."
"Hey, Ali. Has the meet started yet?" Spencer's no nonsense voice came through the phone.
"No. They still haven't come out of the locker room." Ali looked around the outdoor aquatics center. The bleachers were filled with more spectators than Alison would have thought would be there considering the early hour.
"So how do you like UCLA?" Spencer asked curiously
"I haven't seen much of it," Alison admitted.
Spencer laughed in her ear. "You've been there for four days Ali."
"And your point is?" Alison scowled at the phone even though Spencer could not see her.
"What the heck have you been doing for four days if not seeing the campus you might want to attend next semester?" Spencer asked.
"Do you really need me spell it out for you, Spence?" Ali asked, the tone of her voice low and seductive.
"Oye, Ali. Okay, TMI," Spencer replied and it sounded like she was shuddering.
Ali laughed in her ear. "I'm actually taking a campus tour this afternoon while Em's in class."
"Do you really think you want to go there? What about NYU? It's a really good school, you know, Ali."
"And it's on the other side of the country," Ali replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Have you even gotten an acceptance letter from UCLA yet?"
"What's with the third degree today, Spencer?" Alison snapped, frowning, her voice harsher than she intended.
"I'm just wondering. You got accepted to NYU and that's a really hard school to get into. You shouldn't blow something like that off so easily, Ali."
Spencer's voice had that lecturing tone to it now, the one that reminded Alison of fingernails on a chalkboard and she wanted to reach through the phone and bitch slap her.
"Why are you so interested where I go anyway? I thought you and I decided not to control freak each others lives."
"All I'm saying is you and Em can still date even if you go to separate schools. That shouldn't affect your decision where you go. "
Ali scoffed. "Oh, that's rich. This coming from the girl whose boyfriend deliberately applied to the police force in the city where she goes to school? Really Spence?"
Spencer ignored the dig and just continued on as if Ali hadn't said anything. "You should go the right school for you, Ali. Em would want you to."
"Did she tell you that?" Alison asked annoyed to think Spencer might have talking to Emily about her.
"No, we haven't talked about it actually. This conversation is between you and me. NYU's writing program is first rate, Ali" Spencer reminded her. Like she could forget.
"And so is UCLA's," Alison huffed out a frustrated breath. "Spencer, I really don't want to get into this with you today."
"Okay," Spencer finally relented but didn't sound convinced.
Ali saw Kira walking toward her. Alison didn't think she had ever been so happy to see someone in her life.
"Look Spencer, I have to go."
"Is it starting now?"
"No but Em's roommate just got here."
"Oh, okay," Spencer relented. "Well, tell Em to call, or text, after the meet and let me know how she did."
"Okay. Bye."
Alison didn't wait for Spencer to reply before she pressed end. She wanted to throw her phone into the pool below. How dare Spencer lecture her on where she should go to school?
The only person whose opinion mattered was Emily. Of course, the decision may be out of both their hands anyway, but it still pissed Ali off that Spencer was butting in where she didn't belong.
Kira walked up and plopped down beside her. "Hey, sorry I'm late. Melanie was having a meltdown because her printer wouldn't print and her paper is due at eight."
"Why did she wait until this morning to print it?" Alison asked curiously.
"Because she's blonde."
"Excuse me?" Ali sent Kira a withering glare.
Kira threw her head back and laughed. "Ooops, did I say that out loud?"
Ali's phone vibrated again and she typed a quick reply while Kira spoke to someone sitting in the row behind them.
Out of the corner of her eye, Alison saw both swim teams walking out of their respective locker rooms. She elbowed Kira, who turned back around.
Ali looked for Emily but didn't see her. "Where is she?"
Kira followed Alison's gaze and watched the swimmers walking by. "Relax Ali. I'm sure she'll be out in a minute."
Ali sighed and shook her leg nervously.
"So you are nervous, after all," Kira teased sarcastically.
Ali scoffed. "No, I'm not."
"Great job covering this morning though. I never would have known if I didn't see you sitting here, now, wiggling in your seat like a kid doing the pee dance."
Alison sighed, resigned, and then admitted. "She needed me calm so she could stay calm."
Kira smiled. "You always seem to know just what she needs. It's kinda eerie. And kinda sweet."
"And I'm not nervous," Alison insisted as she kept glancing toward the locker room doors. "I know she'll blow all those other swimmers out of the water. I'm just anxious. I just want it to start already."
"Uh, huh," Kira said.
"Will I be able to talk to her again once she comes out?"
"She's going to be sitting just down there," Kira pointed to the rows at the ground level below. "There is no invisible force field keeping her in a silent bubble. She'll be able to hear you if you call down to her."
"You can be such a bitch, you know that." Ali shoved Kira.
"You really kiss Emily with that mouth, huh?"
"I do a lot more to Emily with this mouth," Ali replied and shot Kira a seductive smile. Kira's head fell forward as she snorted, not even taking the bait.
Alison's phone buzzed again.
"I don't want to get her out of the zone, but I want to wish her good luck again if I can," Alison said as she replied to her text.
"I thought you already did that when I found you climbing her like a tree in the middle of our room this morning."
"That's what you get for not knocking before you came in."
"It's my room too."
Ali laughed and shrugged. "I told you I needed to calm her down."
"There was nothing calm about the way she was clawing at your ass," Kira pointed out.
"It was a distraction technique. Very effective."
Kira barked out a laugh so hard she practically snorted. "You're mind is a really twisted place, Ali."
"You have no idea."
Ali's phone vibrated again.
"You're popular today."
Ali sent a reply but didn't reply to Kira. She dropped her phone on her lap. She could feel Kira looking at her, but Alison kept her eyes on the door where more swimmers were emerging. None of them were her mermaid.
Finally, Ali turned and looked at Kira. "Do I have something on my face?"
Ali was a bit surprised when Kira didn't throw a sarcastic reply her way. Instead Emily's roommate was smiling, her eyes soft and sincere. "Thanks for opening up to me a little bit last night."
Alison tilted her head and bit her lip, not quite sure how she should respond, honestly or with her and Kira's usual banter.
"It was just nice to get to know you a little bit. Like I said Emily really doesn't say much about you." Alison's eyebrow rose inquisitively and Kira rolled her eyes. "Well she talks about you all the freaking time, but, like I told you last night, she never said anything about your past. She's really protective of you and your relationship."
"That's because I'm the train wreck of our twosome and she doesn't want people to judge me," Alison said honestly, her lips curling down ruefully.
"I don't think that's it," Kira disagreed.
"Oh, yeah? And just what do you think it is, Dr. Freud?" Alison challenged.
"Look at you. Someone's been paying attention in psych class." Alison rolled her eyes and looked down at her phone to check the time.
"Seriously though," Kira continued and Alison looked over at her. "I think you're the most important person in Em's world and protecting you and what you have together is the most important thing to her."
Ali smiled gratefully. "She loves you, you know." Alison admitted softly.
"You mean my girl crush is not unrequited?"
Alison just sighed.
"To tell you the truth though," Kira continued again. "My girl crush is really just on you. She's like a sister to me, so girl crushing on her would just be creepy."
Alison laughed. "That would be a little creepy." After a beat. "Well, for what it's worth, if I could girl crush on anyone, it would probably be you too."
Kira gasped and clapped her hands happily. "Girlfriend, bring it on. I totally want to be someone's girl crush. Why can't you girl crush?"
"Because there's no part of my heart left for anyone but Em," Alison said simply, honestly.
"And there you go doing it again." Kira sighed softly
"What?"
"Making me girl crush on you so hard and making me want to be a lesbian," Kira tilted her head and lowered her voice, whispering the last word.
"And there you go, again, ruining the moment."
Ali saw Emily finally walk out of the locker room and she stood up. Emily looked up and searched the stands looking for Alison, smiling when she found the one face she was looking for.
Even from a distance, Ali could see the nerves emanating off her girl. This was her first meet since her surgery and even though she was stronger and swimming more fluidly than she ever had, Emily's confidence was still a little shaky.
Alison's entire body was vibrating with the longing to go to her mermaid, put her arms around her and press all her belief and confidence straight into Emily's body.
"You can go down and talk to her before they start," Kira said quietly as she motioned with her head.
"Really?" Ali asked, delighted.
Kira snorted even as she nodded. "God you can be such a girl, sometimes, Ali."
"Watch my phone." Ignoring Kira's jab, Alison shoved her phone at her and practically sprinted down the stairs.
Emily saw her coming and walked over to the bottom of the stairs.
"Hey, is everything alright?" she asked, concern furrowing her brow.
Alison stopped in front of her. "Yeah, I just wanted to wish you luck again."
Emily laughed softly. "I think you did this very thing yesterday before my test too."
"Don't make fun of me," Ali pouted but wasn't offended in the least. Alison reached for Emily's hand and wrapped one around her wrist and curled one into her palm. "Are you ready?" Ali asked quietly.
Emily took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Ali squeezed her hand gently and Emily returned the action. When Emily opened her eyes again they were calm.
Alison smiled softly.
"I'm so glad you're here today," Emily said as she tugged Alison a little closer, close enough for their bodies to almost touch. She wanted to wrap her arms around Ali and bury her face in her neck, losing herself for these last few moments in the scent and feel of her girlfriend.
"I want to hug you so bad right now," Alison whispered as if reading Emily's mind.
Before Emily could reply, her name was called from the end of the pool. She looked to her right and saw her coach motioning for her to come over.
"I've got to get over there."
Alison nodded softly and squeezed Emily's hand once more before stepping forward, closing the last of the distance between them. She titled her face up slightly and pressed her lips to the corner of Emily's mouth.
"Knock 'em dead, mermaid," Ali whispered softly and Emily sighed. "I'll see you after you win."
Alison stepped back and Emily felt the loss of her instantly and acutely. Ali backed up, grinning, her blue eyes shining with love.
Emily's smiled again before turning and walking over to the rest of her team.
Alison jogged back up the stands and sat beside Kira triumphantly. "She's calm now."
"You know I've never seen her compete. I'm usually just here for moral support. But this is kind of exciting."
"She's gonna blow your fucking mind," Alison sighed confidently as she slid her arm through Kira's and laid her head on Kira's shoulder.
The relay team got into their formations and Alison picked up her phone. She scrolled through her contacts and hit dial just as the first swimmers took their positions.
####################
Alison and Kira were screaming and hugging each other, jumping up and down as Emily rose out of the water, her teammates surrounding her, also screaming and congratulating the brunette.
"Come on," Kira tugged on Alison's hand, pulling her down the bleachers.
Alison spoke into her phone quickly as she rushed down the stairs.
Emily looked up into the stands to find Alison but she wasn't where she'd been sitting. Emily's brow furrowed until she heard Alison's voice calling her name. She turned, her teammates still surrounding her, congratulating her on not only winning the race, but breaking the school's record.
Emily turned just in time to catch Alison as she threw herself unceremoniously into Emily's arms, pressing against Emily's still dripping wet body. Emily laughed as Alison wrapped her arms around Emily's neck and pressed her lips to Emily's ear.
"I knew you'd do it, my water nymph. I'm so proud of you, baby."
Emily hugged Alison tight and buried her face in her neck like she'd wanted to a few minutes earlier. She was so overwhelmed and shocked and she could barely remember the last fifteen minutes, but none of that mattered now that she had Alison in her arms.
Alison pulled back and held her phone out. "Em, here."
Emily looked at her confused but Alison just smiled brightly and shook her hand, motioning for Emily to take the phone from her.
"Hello?" she said tentatively as she lifted it to her ear. She squealed happily when she heard her parents on the other end.
"Congratulations, Emmy," her father's deep voice came through the phone.
"Oh, Emily we're so proud of you," her mother said at the same time.
Emily looked at Alison, who was just smiling softly; her eyes shining with what Emily suspected were unshed tears.
"How" Emily asked, her face full of shock.
"Alison called us just as the race started and let us listen in."
Emily mouthed, "Thank you."
Ali didn't reply, just smiled wider. Emily grasped Ali's hand and yanked her forward, pressing her mouth to Ali's. Alison hiccupped with surprise into Emily's mouth and then hummed her approval softly.
"Oh, what?" Emily said as she pulled her lips away from Ali's. "Sorry about that dad, say that again. I didn't hear you."
Ali chuckled as she stepped back let Kira hug Emily too. Then Alison and Kira stood off to the side as Emily was again surrounded by her teammates.
"Will you look at that?" Kira said casually as she looked down at Alison's clothes. "It's not only a swim meet, but a wet t-shirt contest too."
Alison looked down to see her white shirt, soaked from her hug with Emily, not hiding anything, but she couldn't bring herself to care as she hugged her arms around herself. Her mermaid was finally the center of the limelight, receiving the accolades she so justly deserved, and where Alison always knew she'd shine.
##############
Alison walked out of the bathroom, smoothing the hem of her short dress. She wasn't watching where she was going and she slammed smack into someone.
"What the?" she said as she felt strong hands on her arms. She looked up to find Brandi, Emily's teammate, in front of her. She bit back the scathing remark that was on the tip of her tongue, instead saying, "Oh, hey, sorry about that."
"No problem," Brandi said her voice less than friendly as she released Alison's arms. Brandi stepped around her and walked off without another word and Alison just shook her head.
Alpha Delta Pi was throwing a celebration party for the swim team since both JV and Varsity won their meets that morning. Several of the girls were members of the sorority and so a combination party was thrown.
Alison walked down the hallway and into the open living room that encompassed almost the entire first floor of the sorority house. She'd excused herself a few minutes earlier to use the bathroom and, now, as she looked around, Emily was not where she left her. She'd been standing near the front window talking to the captain of the Varsity team, who had been beyond impressed with Emily's performance.
Ali saw Kira through the French doors that led to the deck in backyard, chatting with a guy she could only see the back of. He looked cute enough and by the way Kira was smiling and leaning close to him, Ali figured they would probably hook up.
"You go girl," Ali thought as she walked toward the dining room in search of Emily.
As Alison stepped around the corner she caught sight of Emily standing just through the kitchen door. She was laughing and smiling as she leaned against the counter chatting. Her long brunette hair was flowing over her shoulders and down her back. She was wearing a pair of her signature jeans, the ones that made Alison want to grab her ass, and a flowing midnight blue shirt that hung half off her right shoulder.
Alison leaned against the wall and smiled softly at the sight. Then she sighed. Her girl really was the center of attention tonight and Alison was thrilled for her. She deserved every bit of the attention. But truth be told Ali wanted her mermaid all to herself tonight.
Only one more night she had to share. Most of the campus would be leaving tomorrow for the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Then only one more night until she and Emily could check into the Lowes in Santa Monica and bask in their privacy, focusing only each other. Alison knew Emily was eager for their alone time too. Her girl had spent a good hour that afternoon showing Alison just how eager she was when Kira was in her last class of the day.
Alison was about to walk toward the kitchen when she saw Brandi, again, out of the corner of her eye. The girl was sitting on a window seat on the left side of the dining room, a seat that clearly had an unobstructed view of Emily in the kitchen.
Brandi's had a soft expression on her face and Alison's eyes narrowed. She knew that look. It was a look she'd seen on Emily's face all those years ago. One Ali knew had been on her own face many times when she'd watched Emily from afar, while she was on the run.
Once she'd come back after Mona ran Hanna down, Ali couldn't stay away. She kept coming back over and over, watching all the girls from afar, but especially Emily. In fact, if Emily truly knew how many times Alison had watched her, been unable to take her eyes off her, during that time, Emily would probably be pretty creeped out.
Oh, hell no!
Alison was putting a stop to this right now. She pushed off the wall and walked over to Brandi, sitting down beside her on the window seat, uninvited, crossing one leg over the other.
Brandi looked up surprised as the blonde dropped beside her.
"Brandi, isn't it?" Alison said as she looked at her and forced a sweet smile.
"Yeah," Brandi replied as she slid away from Alison. Ali just shifted a little closer.
"You know who I am, right? We met the other day."
"You're Emily's girlfriend, Ali, right?" Brandi said the words almost like they were a question.
"Alison," she corrected. Ali was reserved for Emily and her friends only. Or anyone she allowed to call her Ali, but it wasn't going to be Brandi. "And, yes, I am her girlfriend," Alison replied, secretly squealing inside because she loved saying that. But she kept her face impassive. "And you and I need to come to an understanding."
"Excuse me?" Brandi raised an eyebrow.
Alison lifted her hand, making sure Brandi followed it with her eyes. "You see that goddess over there?" Alison pointed at Emily, who was still laughing and smiling with the girl she was talking to. "She's off limits. Are we clear about that?"
Brandi looked a bit like a deer in the headlights before she cleared her throat and responded. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"I think you do," Ali assured. "Believe me I get it. It's virtually impossible to take your eyes off her." Brandi moved to stand but Alison put her hand on her arm and held her down. "I've been there. It's hard to watch from afar, watching her, wanting her." Alison's voice took on a hard edge. "But she's taken and that's not going to change."
Brandi's eyes whipped over to Emily again before returning to Alison's. "Alison, I'm not sure what you think-"
"Brandi," Alison interrupted, and she tried to be sympathetic. She really did. But there was no way Alison was letting her off the hook.
Alison pressed her fingers a little harder into Brandi's arm. "We both know what I think and we both know I'm right." Alison quickly looked over at Emily to make sure she was still busy. "You can lust after her all you want, but don't you dare forget she's mine." Alison's tone broached no room for argument.
"Does she know you view her as a possession?" Brandi finally found her voice and she lifted her chin defiantly. She yanked her arm away from Alison's grip and stood up.
Alison rose to her feet and even in her heels she was still slightly shorter than Brandi, but she didn't back down.
For a brief moment, Alison felt remnants of her old self rising to the surface. She took a deep breath, before she spoke again.
"Emily is not my possession, but if you think I'm going to just stand by while you-"
"For your information," Brandi interrupted. "I'm not interested in Emily. I'm not gay. But if you're so worried about someone stealing her away that you have to threaten them, then that says something about your relationship with her."
Alison couldn't hold back the dark laugh that escaped her lips. "You think that's what this is about?"
"I don't care what this is about and I don't have to take this from you. You'll be long gone by the end of the week anyway," Brandi added at the end, sneering, her words finally betraying her true intentions.
Brandi started to walk away but Alison stepped in front of her again. There was no way she was going to let this girl have the last word or walk away with the false impression that Alison's absence would make any difference.
"Bitch, I came back from the dead. I'm never long gone. And you don't want to fuck with me. I promise you that."
Alison turned. Her heart was pounding. Her hands were shaking. Her palms were sweating. And instead of seeking out her girl and sullying her night with this ugliness, Alison walked out the back door into the cool, fall night air.
##################
Emily stepped through the French doors and finally laid her eyes on her girlfriend, who had disappeared over an hour ago, after she never came back from the bathroom. Ali was leaning on the railing of the back deck, looking out over the backyard. Emily looked around briefly and saw the deck was deserted except for Alison.
Emily walked up behind her and brought her arms around her, resting her palms on the wood railing, caging Alison in her arms.
Alison started for a second until the scent of Emily surrounded her. Emily bent her head, brushing Alison's hair off her shoulder before pressing a soft kiss to the nape of her neck.
"I was starting to think you'd abandoned me here."
Alison leaned back against Emily and closed her eyes, shuddering softly at the feel of Emily's lips against her skin. "I just needed some air."
"I didn't mean to ignore you."
"You didn't, Em." Ali turned around in Emily's arms and slipped hers around Emily's waist. "I was watching you from across the room and you shine brighter than any star in the sky. Just like I always knew."
Emily heard Alison's unspoken words because she knew Alison better than anyone now. She knew what Ali was really saying was, "just like I always feared."
Emily wrapped her arms around Alison and pulled her flush against her chest. She brushed her lips against Ali's temple. "You're the only one who sees me like that, Ali."
Alison shook her head and pulled back, smiling. "No, the whole world can't take their eyes off you. And they shouldn't, you're breathtaking."
"As long as you can't take your eyes off me, that's all I care about," Emily replied honestly.
Alison tilted her head and Emily brushed her fingers against Alison's cheek. Alison's eyes fluttered softly and Emily lowered her lips, initiating a soft kiss.
Alison whimpered softly in response, gripping Emily tighter to her, slipping her fingers beneath the back of Emily's shirt, just to be able to feel her warm skin.
Their lips parted and Ali sighed softly, closing her eyes and resting her forehead against Emily's.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Ali shook her head and sought out Emily's lips again.
"Let's try that again?" Emily urged as she pulled back, not letting Alison kiss her.
Ali sighed again, more heavily this time. She looked Emily in the eye, seeing nothing but love behind the curious gaze. But this whole honesty thing was not always all it was cracked up to be.
"Brandi and I got into it a little bit," Alison confessed.
"Brandi from the swim team?" Emily asked.
"Do you know another Brandi?"
"No." Emily shook her head. "But what do you mean you got into it?"
Ali wrinkled her nose and decided just to lay it all out there. "When you were in the kitchen earlier, she was watching you from the dining room. I was on my way back from the bathroom and I was looking for you and I saw her. When I saw how she was looking at you, I just snapped, I guess. So I went over and made sure she and I understood each other."
"I'm not sure I like the sound of that," Emily said cautiously.
"I might have gone a little Alison DiLaurentis on her," Ali said as she cringed and waited for Emily's response.
"Like old school Alison DiLaurentis?"
"A little," Ali admitted, nodding, looking a little sheepish. "I feel kind of bad about it, now, but I couldn't help it at the time. I wanted to scratch her eyes out. It was like I was outside my own body for a minute there though, you know?" Alison bit her lip anxiously before adding. " I didn't like it."
"At least you recognized it," Emily said carefully, suspecting they were treading on some very delicate ground all of a sudden.
"Don't make excuses for me, Em. I'm not that person anymore. I'm not," Alison shook her head, sounding almost like she was trying to convince herself. "I can't be."
"Hey, what's this really about?" Emily asked as she curled some stray hairs behind Alison's ear, making her girlfriend shudder softly.
"Nothing. My mood is just all over the place tonight and I didn't want to ruin your moment with it, so I came out here. I'm fine, really," Alison tried to put on a reassuring smile. "I hope it doesn't cause any problems for you with the team, Em."
"I doubt it will," Emily assured her. "But don't worry about that, Ali. What I want to know is why you felt the need to stake your claim on me that way, rather than the more pleasurable way like I used the other night in front of those frat guys," Emily teased, hoping that reminding her of the other night might help get to the bottom of what appeared to be Alison's insecurity.
Ali shrugged, but a small smile graced her lips at the memory.
Emily cupped Alison's face in her hands. "You don't ever need to be jealous either, Ali. Every part of me is yours, too," Emily said, reiterating Alison's words from yesterday.
Ali took Emily's hand and pressed it against the swell of her breast, right over her heart. "In here I know that. It's up here." With her other hand, Ali tapped her temple. "That I have to keep reminding."
Emily wrapped her hand around Alison's long hair and tugged her head back slightly so she could look directly into Ali's eyes. "I love you, Alison," Emily said and it made Ali's breath catch in her throat. Emily hardly ever called her by her full name.
She leaned forward and breathed into Emily's mouth. "What did I ever do to deserve you?" Before Emily could answer, Ali kissed her, sliding her tongue between Emily's lips. Their tongues caressed gently and slowly as Alison tried to pour every ounce of her love for Emily into that one kiss.
Emily started to laugh and Alison pulled back, raising an eyebrow curiously. "Sorry, I was just thinking about these guys I was talking to inside." Alison lifted her other brow. "They asked if they could watch us make out."
Alison smirked, the slightly somber mood broken, and she urged Emily backward, pushing her toward one of the Adirondack chairs just to their right. When Emily's legs hit the chair, Ali pushed her down, lifted her dress and straddled her lap.
"Well, if they want a show, why don't we give them one?"
Alison shoved her fingers into Emily's long tresses and covered Emily's lips with her own. She bit Emily's bottom lip gently and she watched as Emily's eyes turned black.
Emily yanked her closer and their lips met in a deep kiss, similar to, but not quite as ferocious as, the one they'd shared against the dorm the previous day.
Only when oxygen became necessary did Alison tear her lips away.
"When you kiss me like that I feel like my head is going to pop off," Ali panted as she kissed a trail to Emily's ear.
Emily swirled her tongue over Alison's throat, sucking the tender skin as Alison breathed harshly against her ear, murmuring Emily's name hoarsely. Emily slid one hand up Alison's thigh, her fingers burrowing beneath the hem of her dress, her fingertips gently caressing the soft skin of her inner thigh.
Alison tore her lips away from where they were nibbling on Emily's ear and she covered Emily's lips, swallowing her girl's moan as Alison cupped her breast through her shirt.
After several more minutes, Alison pulled her lips away again and let her forehead fall onto Emily's shoulder, panting heavily.
"God, what's wrong with us? This can't possibly be normal. "
Emily laughed. "What can't?"
"This," Ali lifted her head and gestured between them. "I can't stop touching you. I can't stop kissing you. I can't stop wanting you to touch me. I just…. I can't stop."
"Who says we have to stop?"
Emily leaned back a little in the chair and Alison slid forward on her lap, pressing down and making Emily grip her ass beneath her dress. Alison shoved her fingers in Emily's hair again and kissed her until they were both flushed and panting and breathless.
"Yeah, now that's what I'm talking about," a deep voice boomed from beside them, the sound breaking through the two girls' consciousness.
Expecting it to be the guys Emily mentioned, Alison tore her mouth away from Emily's lips and growled. "Get lost, douche bags. Can't you see I'm kissing my girlfriend here?" She pressed her lips to Emily's again.
Emily laughed and pulled away, recognizing the voice. Alison pouted but relented and looked over to see Adam and a girl standing next to them.
"Oh, god, not you," Ali groaned.
"Hello Marilyn Monroe," he grinned, unfazed by her words but the girl beside him smacked his arm.
"Don't be a jerk, Adam." Then. "Hey Emily," the girl greeted as she smiled.
"Hi Sophie," Emily responded. "Ali, this is Sophie, Adam's girlfriend. Sophie this is Ali."
Sophie waved from where she was standing. "Hi Ali. Nice to meet you finally."
"Hi," Ali said as she shifted slightly so she could partially face them. She was eyeing Adam who was rocking back and forth on his heels.
"That was one hell of a performance today, pollywog," Adam said, ignoring Alison's scowl. "Although I may have to take Marilyn Monroe's lead, here, and start calling you mermaid after that performance."
"Yeah, congratulations Emily," Sophie said. "You were amazing out there."
"Thanks," Emily said.
They chatted for a few more minutes before Adam and Sophie left.
"Now where were we?" Alison purred as she slid her arms around Emily's neck, but before their lips could meet, Kira approached and dropped down in the chair beside them.
"That was quite a show you put on there," she commented as she took a swig of her beer. Emily and Ali turned their heads to look at her.
Ali's eyes flashed with annoyance for a second. Then they filled with amusement as she just shrugged and snuggled closer to Emily, resting her head in the crook of Emily's neck.
"You're beginning to make me question my sexual preference," Kira teased watching as Alison played with the ends of Emily's hair absently.
"Come over to the dark side with us, Kira. It will change your life, forever," Ali retorted and Emily pinched her waist, making Ali squirm.
"Maybe," Kira replied before looking over her shoulder. "Just not tonight."
Ali lifted her head and looked in the direction Kira was looking. "Are you talking about the hot guy at two o'clock? He's the one you were talking to earlier, right?"
Kira nodded and Emily looked to see who they were talking about. "I'm pretty sure I'm heading back to his dorm with him tonight."
"You go girl," Ali said out loud now, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively making both Kira and Emily laugh.
But Emily felt compelled to ask. "Didn't you just meet him tonight?"
Kira nodded again as she took a last swig of her beer and put the bottle on the ground. "Yep, but that's the beauty of a random hookup."
Emily frowned.
"So it looks like you've got the room to yourself again tonight," Kira added. "You're welcome."
Alison's lips curved into a sultry smile before she could stop them and she rolled her hips over Emily's instinctively. The feel of Emily's zipper pressing against her intimately was almost enough to make Alison come right then and there. Emily gripped her hip to stop her as she bit her tongue to hold back a groan.
"Have fun tonight but don't lose your heart to him," Ali cautioned. "Boys hearts are very fickle."
"His heart is not the part of his body I'm interested in tonight."
Emily's eyes widened and Alison tilted her head.
"You have protection right?" Alison asked. "Don't ever not use protection. You'll live to regret it," Alison said, her voice low and serious.
Kira sent a questioning glance at Emily, who was just looking at Alison thoughtfully.
"I've got protection covered. That's something that must be so great about being a lesbian," Kira emphasized the word as she looked at Alison. "You never have to worry about getting knocked up."
Ali glared at her, ignoring her. "You can go get laid now. I want to go back to kissing my girlfriend and you're bothering me."
Kira laughed good naturedly. "I believe I've been dismissed," she said to Emily. "I'll see you both tomorrow before I leave, yeah?" Kira inquired.
"What time are you leaving?" Emily asked.
"My last class ends at one so right after that."
"We'll see you for sure then. I finish at noon," Emily replied.
"Great. You two ladies have a great night. I know I plan to."
Emily watched Kira walk away and Ali could see the wheels turning inside her head. She touched Emily's face gently to get her attention.
"She'll be fine, Em."
"I just don't want her to get hurt. She's not the random hookup type."
"Maybe it isn't a random hookup?"
"But that's what she said. She was making light of it."
"Sometimes that's how people cope," Alison offered and Emily looked over at her, knowing Alison was talking from experience.
Emily shook off her thoughts of Kira. She was an adult and could make her own decisions. Emily just hoped she wouldn't get hurt.
"Come, on let's go back to my room," Emily slid her hand along Alison's bare thigh. "We have it to ourselves again."
The slow sultry smile returned to Alison's lips and she purred. "Yes, we do."
Ali stood and held her hands out to Emily, helping her to stand before smoothing down her dress. "But we're not leaving yet. This is your victory party, we're staying a while."
Emily pouted and Alison laughed because she was usually the one who pouted.
"But what if all I want to do is to celebrate, naked, with my girlfriend?"
Alison's laugh vanished and her breath hitched as heat shot through her like a lightning bolt. She looked up at Emily who was smirking, clearly knowing that would be Alison's exact reaction.
Alison narrowed her eyes playfully. "Then you're just going to have to suck it up. You'll have me all to yourself after tomorrow," Ali said before adding. "I think you need to get me a little tipsy before you take me back and have your wicked way with me."
"Is that the only way to get you to put out tonight?"
Ali laughed a soft breathy laugh. "Hell no. You know I'm easier than that. But haven't you ever wanted to get me drunk and take advantage of me?"
Emily's dark eyes flashed with desire and Ali laughed softly, knowing she'd just hit one of Emily's fantasies on the head. Ali felt a shiver of desire rush through her body in response.
"That's what I thought," she said breathlessly before tugging Emily forward, back toward the French doors.
"Wait, should you drink?" Emily asked as she tugged on Ali's hand. "What about this medication you mentioned?"
"I'm not on that one anymore," Alison replied. "And a little alcohol will make me just easy enough for us to play out that fantasy tonight."
As they two girls passed through the threshold, Ali pushed up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips against Emily's ear, and whispered.
"And just for the record, I plan to fulfill every fantasy you ever have, Emily Fields."
Emily blinked and then smiled, wondering if she should let Ali know she already was.