Oh my gosh I am so sorry it took me forever to update...I was out of town and then life got really complicated, plus PLL is depressing the hell out of me with the lack of Emison (like why couldn't our ladies just dance at prom Marlene? Would that have been so hard? I mean after all we're the fandom who trended that shit in the first place...), but never the less here's the next chapter! I apologize in advance if I totally botched any of the scientific/chemical stuff I included-I graduated in May with a Bachelor's degree in African American Studies and Theatre so needless to say my forte is not science.
Let me know what you guys think and I hope you enjoy!
I don't own Pretty Little Liars because if I did I wouldn't give the largest fandom of the show false hope and then continuously break their heart. Oh my gosh funny story one of my best friends who I watch the show with is betting that the "sweet moment" between Emison in the finale is a high five or fist bump...I'm hoping for at least a hug or something-but knowing the writers who the heck knows...anyways on with my version of Emison!
Guardian Angel: An Emison Story Chapter Five
You Always Save Me
The Bronx, New York City
November 11, 2019
5:00 pm
Alison and Brittany had been driving towards the abandoned ammunition plant for the past 30 minutes. New York City traffic was seriously the worst-but it was probably the only thing about the city that annoyed Alison. And spending almost a decade of her life in total within the city's limits she had become pretty accustomed to it. Ali couldn't quit explain why but she had an incredibly uneasy feeling about this mission. Glancing over at Brittany, Alison couldn't help but notice that her best friend's eyes still maintained their determined edge. Alison had been so sure of their plan before they left headquarters and even convinced Reggie that the duo would be perfectly fine…why was she in doubt now?
"Ali, what's wrong?" Brittany softly inquired while never taking her eyes off the road. It was pretty remarkable how both of them could sense the change in each other's moods and demeanor without needing to look at the other. They both just knew when each other was off. Father Michael, the priest at the Catholic Church the Johnson family had religiously attended for over four decades, described the women's bond as being other worldly and beyond human comprehension. And in many ways it was.
Alison knew without a shadow of a doubt that Emily Fields was her soul mate-her one true love-but she also believed that she and Brittany's souls were deeply entrenched and damn near inseparable…in a completely platonic manner. Could you have a true love soul mate and a best friend soul mate? Alison didn't have a clue and she was by no means a theologian philosopher; but she had seriously come to believe that God intended her soul to forever suffer unless it was connected to the two brunettes who had forever changed her.
"I'm just nervous about what we're going to find." Despite her strong exterior appearance, the slight tremor in her voice gave Alison away.
Picking up on the blonde's unusual vulnerability when it came to their jobs Brittany tore her gaze from the road briefly as she asked, "Why?"
"I'm scared," And it was the truth. For the first time since she'd become a Guardian Alison was scared. And it didn't have anything to do with her. She was terrified for Brittany. She wouldn't survive if anything happened to her best friend that she possibly could have prevented. Her soul wouldn't recover from that loss.
Brittany gave her a look that indicated that the blonde had nothing to worry about so Alison quickly explained, "I just have this gut feeling that whatever we uncover today is going to change everything."
And it wasn't just a gut feeling-Alison somehow knew that this excursion to the abandoned ammunition plant would forever change her. This feeling was driving her insane because Alison had come to find in her teen years dealing with Charles and later in her work as a Guardian that her gut was never wrong.
"Change everything good or change everything bad?" As much as Alison loved Brittany's ability to usually bring a smile to her face when she was feeling incredibly down-this was not a joking matter…at fucking all.
"My gut'll have to get back to you on that," Alison barked back at the brunette. And she immediately cringed because she never used that tone with her best friend. Ever.
"Ali, what's really going on?" Brittany of course saw straight through the blonde's snarky façade and her tone left absolutely no room for reproach.
"I can't lose you, okay!" Ali desperately tried to fight back the tears that were threatening to fall from her crystal blue pools, because Jesus she was supposed to be protecting the city from this psychopathic serial killer and she can't do that if she's not in control of her emotions. Following her outburst Brittany pulled her blue Camaro over to the side of the road and Alison knew shit was about to get real. Looking out of the passenger side window Ali realized they were a block away from the abandoned plant. And it looked like before they went in they were going to have a heart to heart.
"Why do you think you're going to lose me?" Brittany gently nudged as she wrapped her right hand around Alison's left one.
Alison wanted to shout-she wanted to scream, because why didn't Brittany see how fucking serious this serial killer's fixation with her life and the people in it were!?
But instead her voice barely croaked out, "Because…because this psycho is killing people from your past. They killed Rebecca-one of your closest friends in the present." Alison took a shaky breath before she voiced what was really scaring her half to death, "It's only a matter of time before they target you…And I can't lose you. I've already lost so much. And if they…hurt you…if they ki-" Alison chokes on the word because her heart shatters just thinking about the possibility of that happening. "I wouldn't survive it, Britt."
Her best friend squeezed her hand and Alison brought her watery gaze up to lock with Brittany's pained expression, "And you think I'd survive if anything happened to mom…to Bradley…Eva…Mande-" Alison isn't surprised that Brittany can't even voice the possibility of any harm coming to her nephew-she knows her best friend would never forgive herself for that. She assumed Brittany was done with her rebuttal and was startled when her best friend continued,"To YOU!? Ali, do you seriously think I could survive in a world without you?"
Alison was left speechless. She didn't know what to say-maybe she didn't really need to say anything; but the gnawing silence that filled the air in the car following Brittany's declaration was almost too much for her to handle. The two continued to hold hands and stare into each other eyes for what felt like an eternity. Alison just prayed that Britt wouldn't start to tear up because that would send her over the edge that she was already hanging from.
Softly, Brittany rubbed her thumb along the back of Ali's hand and took a deep breath before she stated in a much quieter tone, "But that's why we have each other...You save me from myself…and I'd like to think I do the same for you."
Alison could only nod in response because God was that ever the truth. Brittany had been saving her since the day they'd met…and Alison's fiercest demon was always herself. She knows for a fact that she never would have recovered from what Charles put her through (and all the self-loathing that it produced) without this woman sitting next to her. And even though Alison doesn't realize it as much as she should, her friendship with the brunette had saved the former basketball great on numerous occasions as well.
"Ali…no matter what we find inside this plant. No matter how crazy this psychopath turns out to be…It'll never change the fact that you're my best friend and that we're family." Brittany always said stuff like that with so much sincerity that it honestly took Alison's breath away.
Alison looked at the brunette in pure adoration as she just shook her head and asked, "How do you always know what to say?"
"I'm the DiLaurentis Decoder…remember? If I didn't know how to turn your frown upside down I'd seriously need a different title…and I like that one." Brittany offered her a cheeky smile and Alison couldn't help but return it.
Dropping Brittany's hand she leaned over the console and gave her best friend an awkward car hug. Brittany tried to return it despite the horribly contorted angle she now found herself in, but Alison didn't care. She just wanted to relish in this moment because right now they were safe…and despite her best friend's reassurances Alison knew that wouldn't last forever-not when they were dealing with a serial killer.
Turning her head at an angle so she could look up at Brittany, Ali softly proclaimed, "I love you."
Brittany offered her a gentle squeeze before she replied, "I love you, too."
After a few moments Alison untangled herself from the star athlete and moved to open the passenger side door of the Camaro when she felt Brittany's hand on her left forearm.
Turning back towards her best friend Brittany smiled and held out a small device for her.
"You forgot your ear piece and Reggie will seriously kick our asses if we're not in constant communication with him."
Alison couldn't help but chuckle as she placed the gadget snugly in her left ear and concealed it with her long blonde hair.
"What would I do without you?"
Brittany waited a beat before she replied, "Get your ass kicked, duh!" and quickly made her way out of the Camaro before Alison could even process what she'd said.
"Yo, she got you there Bombshell!" Reggie's overly loud voice in her ear snapped Alison back to reality.
"Jesus Reggie, now is when you decide to say something?" Alison figured he had probably heard the duration of her conversation with Brittany given that the brunette had her earpiece in the entire time.
"What? I wasn't going to interrupt during the sweet moments-that'd just be rude." Reggie reasoned as Alison made her way out of the car.
The blonde ignored her boss as she approached Brittany who was standing a few feet in front of the car and accessing the large abandoned ammunition plant that lay before them. Where the hell would they even begin? From the look on Brittany's face Alison can imagine her best friend's thinking the same thing.
"Well, what do you think? Hit up the largest building first?" Brittany inquired when Alison had made it to her side.
"Would we really do it any other way?" Ali quipped back with a closed lipped smile on her face.
Brittany snorted before she answered, "No."
With that the two began walking at a relatively quick pace towards the front of the main building of the plant through a lightly snow covered field.
"God…this is just so surreal." Brittany stated out of the blue.
"What is?" Alison asked as she raised an eyebrow up at her best friend.
"Just being here…back on this field." Alison patiently waited for Brittany to continue. The blonde loved when her best friend got all reminiscent randomly during missions. And she knew an impending story about the brunette's childhood was soon coming. "My Uncle Eddie would always take me and Bradley out to this field when we were growing up every time we'd come visit him. He'd gather up all these people in the neighborhood to come and play football with us. It was flag football of course so no one got too seriously injured. We'd literally play for like four hours and not even notice it-not even get tired. Although, Uncle Eddie would have to take a couple breathers." Brittany let out a care free laugh obviously visualizing her mom's older brother huffing and puffing while she and Bradley continued to run circles around him. "And mom-oh my God mom would be on the sidelines just going crazy every time me or Bradley caught a pass or juked somebody out!" Brittany paused and glanced back at the field that they had now completely crossed before she locked eyes with Ali and declared, "Yo, this place used to witness so much joy, and now…I mean…the whole neighborhood got destroyed…everything's contaminated…shit, it's just sad."
Ali never knew how to respond when Brittany got all philosophical on her (at literally the most ironic and totally inappropriate times) so she just offered her a small understanding smile as she followed her best friend's gaze and glanced back at the once thriving and now depleted section of The Bronx. Brittany was right, it was sad, heartbreaking even that this-being home to a psychotic murderer-is what her uncle's old neighborhood had become.
They were still a good 20 yards away from the main doors of the largest building of the plant. Alison was the first to start moving again. She gently grabbed Brittany's right arm and the contact had the brunette shaking her head and refocusing on the task at hand. Ali knew they both had to be at the top of their game if they were ever going to-
"Whoa whoa hold on you two! Oh my God…" Reggie's urgent and then terrified voice brought troubled expressions to both women's faces and had them stopping in their tracks.
"Reggie…what? What is it?" Ali frantically asked impatiently. The worst part about being out in the field on missions was not being able to see all of the data, information, and images that were being relayed back to CIA headquarters. Sure Brittany and Ali always managed to survive because of their instincts, but still it would be nice to have access to the state of the art technology that their boss was obviously now examining.
"Holy shit!" Reggie's raised voice echoed throughout the eerily silent air that surrounded Ali and Brittany.
"Reggie what the hell is going on!?" Brittany desperately asked their boss.
Finally snapping out of his shocked daze Reggie began to explain in his usual calm, but firm tone, "Okay listen to me. You two are gonna have to move incredibly quickly. From the images we're picking up from the satellites there are two objects that are around the size of a human being and registering at 98.6 degrees."
"Okay so there's two people in there…what else?" Brittany urged as she and Alison had already begun to sprint towards the doors of the building-not wanting to waste anymore time if there were people who needed their help.
"One's on the main level it appears in a back room of some sort and the other person I think is in a bunker or something, because there's no basement on any of the blueprints we have of the plant. From what I can gather the bunker looks to be right as you walk into the plant so Brittany look for a trap door or something." By this point Alison and Brittany were about to enter the abandoned plant when Reggie's voice rang out again, "Wait! The carbon monoxide levels are off the charts for the plant which means y'all have at the most two minutes to get these people out of there before the fumes kill not only them but you! And as soon as you get out you're gonna need oxygen, understand?"
"Got it." Brittany and Alison both affirmed as they shared one last glance and threw the rusty main door of the plant open and sprinted towards the people they needed to save. The toxic fumes were overwhelming and as Alison rushed towards what appeared to be a hidden hallway in the back of the main room she prayed that she found her person soon because her eyesight was already getting blurry and her head was killing her….but as always when it came to her work as a Guardian she would see this mission through…no matter what she'd have to suffer to do so.
The Bronx, New York City
Abandoned Ammunition Plant
November 11, 2019
4:45 pm
Emily had never had a worse headache in her entire life. Holy shit the pounding between her ears was so intense she thought her skull was literally going to crack from the built up pressure. She wanted to open her eyes-to take in her surroundings, but her eyelids felt like they were glued shut. With every fiber in her being she tried to force them open, but they wouldn't budge.
When she took in a deep breath her ribs felt like they were going to snap. She instantly knew they were bruised-if not broken-Emily wonders when that could have happened. Did the serial killer beat her while she was unconscious? Given what they'd done to all four victims Emily supposes that she should be grateful that she was still alive at this point…
Emily tried to bring her hands up to her face because her forehead was stinging relentlessly, but she wasn't able to move them. It then dawned on the detective that they were bound behind her back…around a metal pole…most likely with her own handcuffs-fucking perfect.
"This was not part of the plan!" Emily heard a female voice echo throughout the space she was in. When she'd gotten knocked out she thought she'd only seen one figure-dressed all in black. The voice sounded muffled like it was coming from a cell phone or something. It was pretty obvious that their dangerous serial killer was not the one calling the shots…
"I don't care! She was snooping around my place!" A deep voice belonging to a man answered back. Emily almost scoffed out loud-what was it with psychopaths and their precious places of torment that they feared losing more than anything else? She temporarily thought back to Charles and his dollhouse…how depressed he had appeared when they set his "memory room" or whatever on fire.
"So let her go! The NYPD's investigation is not our concern! Killing four civilians is one thing, but murdering a member of New York's finest…that'll rain down a fire not even you can handle." The woman was trying to reason with this psychopath and Emily knew she should probably be concerned for herself, but all she could think about was Alison being in that photograph…What did this serial killer or group of serial killers or whatever the fuck want with her Ali?
Given her current predicament Emily knew it was implausible but she was determined to make it out of here alive. She would do it for Ali. Emily didn't care that she hadn't seen the blonde in over seven years and that she had no idea where she even was-but that was the love of her life dammit-and she was going to do whatever she could to keep her safe.
"I'll take my chances!" With that the psychopath abruptly ended their phone call and Emily could hear the cell phone shattering as it connected with the cement wall near where she was laying completely helpless on the floor. Tentatively Emily tried opening her eyes again-she needed to get a look at this serial killer. When she'd walked in on him before Emily had been in such a state of shock that she didn't even register any other features besides his all black clothing attire (how lovely considering her history with Charles).
Even though it caused her incredible physical pain she managed to force her eyelids open. It took her a few moments to readjust to the barely lite room…and of course the new images that were being relayed to her brain only increased the throbbing in her head. God…what the hell? Whoever this serial killer was sure knew how to swing a damn crowbar.
When Emily's eyesight was no longer blurry and she was able to see clearly she wishes she'd never opened her eyes…towering over her was a domineering figure dressed all in black-even a black mask…God was she dreaming? Charles was serving multiple counts of life imprisonment in a maximum security prison…there's no way he could be looming over her now, right?
The figure crouched down and brought their leather gloved hand to brush against Emily's cheek. The brunette reflexively itched away, completely forgetting the throbbing in her head as she desperately tried to move out of this murderer's grasp.
The serial killer darkly chuckled-which sent an absolute chill down Emily's spine-before they boasted, "I'm sorry it had to come to this detective."
Emily didn't recognize the deep voice and she wanted nothing more than to rip their black mask off-revealing their pathetic face to the world. Of course that would be a challenge given the position her hands were currently in…All Emily could do was glare at this psychopath and pray that she lived to stop him.
"You're just too good at your job Emily, uncovering more than I'm ready for the world to know…putting all these pieces together."
What the hell was this freak getting at? What exactly had she uniquely uncovered?
Then it hit Emily like a fucking freight train-the connection between the victims…Bronx Baller aka Brittany Johnson. Brittany's family being somehow connected to her lost love-to Ali…For whatever reason the two women were the targets-Alison and Brittany. Emily didn't have any evidence to back up the theories that were now running wild in her head but she knew that the elusive athlete and her beautiful blonde were the real targets…even if indirectly.
And even though Emily had only ever seen one photo of the duo together she knew that if one got hurt it would destroy the other….essentially eliminating both women. But why did they need to be eliminated?
"I can see those gears turning in that beautiful head of yours." Emily could feel the bile rising in her throat, she was afraid that she'd throw up. God she'd never felt this sick to her stomach-okay maybe she felt this disturbed any time she saw Alison with someone who wasn't her…like fucking Holbreck at the Christmas Ball, but this was a different type of disturbed-a different type of dread.
She wasn't able to protect Alison from Charles and hell she'd even contributed to his sadistic plot to throw the blonde in jail…and get her convicted of a murder that never even happened. And God Emily could beat herself up for the rest of eternity for doing that to Ali; because the brunette knows if the roles had been reversed-Alison would have never lost faith in her…
Emily couldn't stop Charles all those years ago-she was only a teenager after all…but she'd protect Alison DiLaurentis from this freak if it was the last thing she ever did. This monster had not just murdered four women he had brutalized and tortured them. Emily would be damned if Alison suffered the same fate.
Crouching down even further and leaning towards her ear, the serial killer stated in a voice barely above a whisper, "Don't worry Detective Fields I'll be sure to send Alison your love."
And that's when Emily saw red, when she no longer felt any physical pain. How dare this motherfucker threaten her soulmate. Before she even realizes what she's doing Emily lunges forward-despite the handcuffs that are restraining her-and seethes,
"If you so much as touch her!" Her eyes feel like they're on fire and she truly believes that she could burn holes through this son of a bitches' skull right now.
The serial killer avoids her advances and mockingly laughs before questioning, "You'll do what detective? You're not really in a good position to "protect and serve" right now…"
And Emily wants to strangle this bastard because of the truth behind their words. What can she honestly do to stop him in her current predicament? Even so she continues to glare at this person who had terrorized the city she'd come to love for far too long as they moved back into a standing position.
The figure dressed all in black makes their way over towards a black duffle bag (of course) on the ground in the middle of the creepy room they're in right now and pulls out a canister of some kind…it looks like spray paint. What they hell? Were they going to leave a message?
But instead they made their way over towards a generator that was sitting in the corner. When it came to life Emily nearly choked on the smell of gasoline…that's when it hit her. The aerosol can…if the serial killer damaged it and fumes from it mixed with the gasoline she would die from carbon monoxide poisoning. As if reading her mind the psychopath broke the top of the spray paint can off and deposited the hissing can in front of the gasoline that was pouring out of the generator.
The combination of the two fumes smelled instantaneously toxic and Emily felt the panic rising within her. The last time she had dealt with this in an enclosed space she only survived because of…Alison. But the blonde hadn't been in Emily's world for seven years; there's no way she could possible rescue her now.
"It's been fun detective, but I really must be going." With that the serial killer that she had finally come face to face with slithered out of the ammunition plant through a back door that Emily hadn't noticed before.
She couldn't stop the incessant coughing that was rattling her body and causing her lungs to burn in pain. Her mind was becoming even cloudier because of the carbon monoxide on top of the concussion she most likely suffered from the crowbar bashing…
Emily fought so hard to stay conscious, she knew she needed to try and get out of her own handcuffs, but her body and mind felt so weak. Emily thrashed against her handcuffs contorting her hands in different positions to try and squeeze them out, but the serial killer had fastened the cuffs so tight that her circulation had long been cut off.
She didn't want this to be the way her life ended-curled up and restrained on the floor of an ammunition plant. If she died what would happen to everyone who loved her and everyone she loved? It seemed like a sick joke that the universe would allow her, Spencer, Aria, and Hanna to survive Charles only for her life to end like this. How would her three best friends cope with her death? What about Chloe? God that little girl had become her entire world when Hanna had given birth four years ago-she had managed to fill a section of the gaping hole in her heart that had emerged with the absence of Alison in her life. God and her parents…her poor father who had survived how many tours overseas and mother who worried incessantly about her-she was their only child. Jesus the world just wasn't fair sometimes.
And the irony wasn't lost on Emily that when she had finally gotten some physical proof that Alison DiLaurentis was indeed alive, she would now not be able to try and find her lost love.
Emily knew in her soul that this wasn't how her story was supposed to end. She was supposed to be the bad ass detective who protected the city and became reunited with her lost love. But as her eyelids became heavier and heavier Emily was beginning to accept that this might after all be her fate. She wasn't even coughing anymore, which meant her body was too weak to fight the poison that was seeping its way into her system.
Before she slipped into unconsciousness Emily felt another presence in the room with her…she couldn't see anything, but she felt strong yet gentile fingers pry her hands free from the handcuffs. She could feel her body being moved. She felt toned arms effortlessly hoist her up from the ground.
How was this possible? Was she hallucinating? Was this an angel transporting her into the afterlife? Emily didn't know and honestly she didn't care. Being in this person's arms felt like home…and Emily hadn't felt at home in seven years...
As her head came to rest on her savior's chest Emily caught a whiff of warm vanilla. She focused on the scent and the strong heartbeat ringing out from her rescuer's chest. Emily knows that there's a very real possibility that her mind is playing tricks on her-that no one had actually found her and she's slowly dying from the carbon monoxide.
But then she hears the absolute sweetest sound-she hears her voice…
"Hold on, Em! Just hold on for me, please! I promise I'm gonna get you out of here, but you have to hold on!"
Alison. Alison had saved her…Alison was still her guardian angel. And even though she couldn't vocalize it, Emily promised herself that she would hold on…she would hold on for Alison.
CIA New York City Headquarters
Medical Ward
November 11, 2019
6:30pm
Alison still couldn't believe it. She's endured a lot of shocking things in her life; but this one-this one blows everything else out of the water.
When she'd ran into the main building of the ammunition plant she never in her wildest dreams could have imagined that she'd be emerging with Emily Fields in her arms. She had gone seven years without seeing her mermaid, and the sight of her soulmate lying on that grimy floor, on the brink of death, had caused Alison's heart to stop beating.
For a split second Alison forgot how to function; but then the realization that Emily needed her sent the blonde into a frantic course of action. Over the past 6 and a half years Alison has saved so many people that her body and mind just seemed to work on autopilot…and thank God because if she would have allowed herself to stand still and think about the fact that Emily was right in front of her…they both would be dead right now.
Her fingers just seemed to remember how to pry open handcuffs and the anger that flared through Alison when she saw how purple Emily's hands were from the lack of circulation scared her. Whoever the fuck did this to the brunette was gonna pay that much was a given. This sweet soul didn't deserve to be treated in such a degrading manner. Until the moment when she had picked Emily Fields up in her arms and carried her out of that God forsaken hell hole Alison had always been driven by justice and protecting people when she was on a mission. But as she took in Emily's signature lavender scent and gazed down at the brunette who had captured her heart over a decade ago, something stronger began to drive her: love.
She hadn't even felt any effects from the carbon monoxide that was pouring into the enclosed space where Emily lay unconscious. When she had first run into the building her eyes burned and her head felt cloudy but as soon as she saw her mermaid all of the pain subsided-just evaporated right out of her core.
Maybe Mandela was right…maybe she and Brittany did have superhero powers-how else would you explain them not even requiring oxygen once they'd rescued the two people trapped in the ammunition plant?
And Alison knows as a Guardian she should be concerned for the teenage girl that Brittany had rescued from that bunker-and she is-but she's not leaving Emily's side. There's no way in hell she is moving from this hospital bed until she knows Emily is going to be okay. And Alison doesn't care that Reggie assured her Emily would make a full recovery…hell in her head she knew her boss (and graduate from Stanford Medical School) was right. But she needed to be sure. She needed to see those soulful brown eyes open…
That's why she's laying here in a hospital bed with the brunette's head resting on her chest. Okay maybe that's not the only reason, but dammit she had gone seven years without holding Emily in her arms and she was going to relish in the delicious sensation for as long as she could. Because there's a very real possibility that Emily hates her, that Emily wants nothing to do with her. But even if that's the case she will protect the brunette-especially now with her being connected to this serial killer (and almost another victim of their's).
God Alison was really hoping Brittany was putting some pieces together. After they'd gotten back to headquarters and Brittany had gotten the fragile and unconscious teenage girl into a hospital room for Reggie to exam her best friend had silently guided her (with Emily in her arms) into another room. Alison didn't want to set Emily down but the reassuring look in Brittany's eyes told her it would be okay.
So she reluctantly placed her love on the hospital bed and stepped back as Brittany began to take care of her. Teresa being an Emergency Room nurse for over thirty years had taught Brittany and Bradley the basics of first aid and how to handle emergency situations beginning when they were in kindergarten. The two growing up in the Morris Heights projects unfortunately had ample amount of practice for their medical skills. Despite the horrors she knows her best friend had to witness growing up-they definitely paid off in her work as a Guardian.
After Brittany had gotten Emily a proper source of oxygen to replace the make shift one they assembled in the car, Alison's lips grew into a small proud smile as she watched the person who had saved her life on numerous occasions gently check Emily over for any other injuries. Brittany used the same care as her mother when she cleaned Emily's wound on her forehead and applied steristripes to prevent it from bleeding. Of course Alison couldn't help but hold Emily's hand-and God their fingers still fit just perfectly together-through the whole thing. She didn't know if it would ease the beautiful brunette's pain, but she wanted Emily to know that she was here…that if she let her she'd always be here.
When Brittany had softly lifted Emily's white undershirt to exam her mermaid's ribs, Alison wanted to cry. There were purple bruises all over that gorgeous tan skin in the shape of a boot print. This serial killer had stomped on her Emily…
Brittany wrapped Emily's torso to protect her ribs from further damage after determining that none of them were broken. After assuring Alison that Emily had no more injuries that needed to be tended to the blonde had tentatively laid down next to the brunette in the surprisingly comfortable hospital bed. Brittany hadn't said a word as the blonde securely brought Emily into her arms. She'd just offered Ali a small smile before quietly exiting the room. Thank God her best friend understood that Alison needed to watch over Emily-that it would be completely pointless for her to try and do anything else for their case right now.
So here Alison lay with the most miraculous human being she had ever encountered safety enveloped in her hold.
And Alison isn't sure why but she starts bearing her soul to the unconscious brunette, "I know it's been forever since we've seen each other Em, but I just want you to know that not a day has gone by when I didn't think about you." Alison tries desperately to keep her tears at bay and the shake out of her voice as she softly continues, "I've missed you so much Emily; and I'm sorry if I caused you any pain; but after Charles I-I…needed to heal…away from everyone. And I know that was selfish, but I'm hoping you can forgive me."
Alison takes a deep breath as she lightly runs her fingers through Emily's luscious dark locks, "A lot's changed, Em. You probably won't believe what I do for a living…and just wait until you meet my family." A smile forms on Alison's lips as she lightly chuckles, "They're very loud and a tad bit crazy, but they saved me and I love them with every piece of my heart and soul." A beat passes before Ali confesses, "Being accepted by them…and doing what I do for work…I've become the person God always intended me to be." Alison waits a few moments before she whispers, "I really think you'd be proud, Em."
Alison brushes a strand of Emily's hair behind her ear before she declares, "But no matter how much things have changed in my life one thing never will…and that's that I'm completely in love with you Emily Catherine Fields…I always have been-since the moment we met-I just wouldn't let myself feel back then…And I know with every fiber of my being that I always will love you."
Alison knows that Emily won't remember a word of what she's said, but she needed the brunette to know in some capacity at least what had been weighing on her heart for so long. The blonde places a lingering kiss on Emily's forehead as someone lightly knocks on the door.
Taking her eyes off Emily for the first time in over an hour Alison glances up and sees Brittany leaning against the door frame. "Hey…is it cool if I come in? I don't want to interrupt anything."
Alison appreciates the consideration especially since Brittany really doesn't need to be given the circumstances with their serial killer and all…but her best friend is too sweet to just barge in.
"Of course you can, Britt. She's still out cold anyways." Ali answers back and then loving gazes back down at Emily. Jesus how was it possible that she had fallen even more in love with her mermaid when Emily hadn't even been conscious for any of their encounter?
"Well yeah I know that, but still…it looked like an intimate moment." When Alison looks back up Brittany is smirking at her and it's odd because only Britt could manage to get her lips to curve in that bitchy manner with complete adoration swimming in her lite blue eyes. Alison offers a playful glare back at her best friend as she makes her way into the hospital room and sits in a chair closest to Alison's side of the bed.
"Do NOT give me that look sis! Have you seen the way you look at her? I mean…Jesus I have NEVA seen anyone so in love." Alison can feel her cheeks start to blush because she knows her eyes are incredibly expressive and she can just imagine what they do as their taking in Emily Fields…
"And like yo I knew you loved her from everything you've ever told me about her and Rosewood and all that shit, but DAMN Ali seeing you around her IN person…it's just really beautiful….and totally epic." When she finishes her observation Brittany is wearing a warm smile and Alison can't help but return it, because yeah nothing makes her heart flutter more in this entire world than her mermaid.
"Are you finished with the teasing?"
"I am NOT teasing. Girl, I am admiring! I mean for God's sake if there was ever any doubt in anybody's mind that you and Emily weren't soulmates all they gotta do is see the way you're holding her right now…that's just pure love." A few moments pass as Alison brings her gaze back to Emily and lightly runs her fingers along the brunette's right arm and shoulders. A stabbing pain makes its way through her chest as she tenderly holds Emily and she knows that she can never leave her again. Seven years ago when she had abruptly left Rosewood and everyone in it behind, the circumstances had been so so different. She could rationalize the decision in her head, but having Emily back in her life (even if it is for the most screwed up reason possible)…she knows her heart can't survive walking away again. It doesn't matter how much stronger Alison is now than she was then, leaving Emily…would destroy her soul.
Brittany places a gentle hand on her forearm before quietly asking, "Hey, where'd you go there?" There's concern etched all over her face and Alison knows that Brittany knows where her mind is at right now.
"I can't leave her Britt. Not again. Not after having her this close…" The blonde wants to explain further but her throat closes up as tears spring to her eyes and all she can further muster out is, "I-I c-can't…"
Brittany got up from her chair and cradled Alison's face in her hands softly wiping the blonde's tears away with the pads of her thumbs. "Hey hey, Ali, look at me. Look at me. No one's asking you to do that, okay? And no one ever will, I promise." Brittany had that same ferocity burning in her eyes as she did when she was protecting people and Alison knew her best friend wouldn't let anything from the CIA end take Emily away from her.
"I'm probably breaking ever rule in protocol just by being here with her…" Alison breathed out.
"Well shit Ali we've been breaking the rules ever since we started working here and it hasn't gotten us fired yet…in fact it's propelled us to the top of the CIA." Brittany winked at her to finish off her statement and Alison let out a genuine laugh. A few moments passed as Brittany settled back in her chair and added with a dismissive shake of her left hand, "And the way I see it you're simply keeping a victim safe. We are Guardians after all…and our main priority is to keep people safe." The brunette added after a beat, "Well that and saving the world."
As Alison smiled at her best friend who always managed to calm her down and wrapped her arms slightly tighter around her first love in an effort to confirm that she wasn't hallucinating-that Emily was indeed here with her right now-the blonde realized how complete she felt. These two women have always seen the best in her-the person she was destined to be. Alison felt a warmth of contentment spread through every pore in her body as she was surrounded by her guardian angel and being watched over by her rock.
But the harsh reality was that this contentment couldn't last-not as long as their serial killer was still out there-not as long as other's were still in danger. Reluctantly Alison interrupted the peaceful moment, "So…not that I don't love just talking to you and sitting here being all happy, but did you find out why Emily was in the ammunition plant?"
"What? Oh yeah, sorry…Turns out sweet Emily is a detective with the NYPD's Special Crimes Unit."
"Isn't that the highest ranking unit in the entire police department?"
Brittany rolls her eyes and shakes her head at Alison because she's wearing a dopey smile on her face, "Yes, Ali…look at you all proud of your mermaid."
"What? That's like a huge deal especially since she's so young." Alison defends with a gleaming look in her eyes.
"She was the youngest detective they ever hired…" Brittany mused and Alison's smile just widened. Look at her Emily kicking ass and taking names…
"Has she always been in New York?" God if Emily Fields was a police officer in the same city that Alison called home for the past seven years that would kill the blonde-she could have been holding her in her arms for so much longer…
"No, she transferred from Philadelphia Homicide two months ago. Mermaid Emily must be hella smart…" Brittany trailed off as she glanced down at her tablet.
"She is, but what makes you say that?"
"Well, she simultaneously attended the Philadelphia Police Academy and Temple University. Graduated in the top of her class in both, and got degrees in Forensic Science and Psychology. After she got sworn in as a police officer she went to class during the day and patrolled south Philly at night…It's just really impressive. Like DAMN girl."
"This coming from the woman who maintained a perfect 4.0 while being the number one female basketball player in the country and was a teaching assistant for three classes for the fun of it…Not to mention you graduated early." Alison goaded Brittany right back with a huge smile plastered on her face.
She could feel her heart swelling with pride as the accomplishments her best friend rattled off began to sink in. Wow, Emily had grown into an even more incredible woman than she remembered. Alison just hoped that she'd be given the chance to get to know this Emily Fields…
Brittany just shrugged before she stated, "What can I say? I guess mermaid and I are both overachievers."
Alison snorted at the remark because it was definitely true. A comfortable silence filled the room as Brittany continued to delve through information on her tablet and Alison just stared at Emily like she was the most precious being in existence.
Another ten minutes pass before Brittany quietly announces, "Hey, I'm gonna go sit with the teenage girl. See if she remembers anything when she wakes up. Poor thing…Reggie said whoever did this really messed her up physically and I don't even want to think about the psychological effects…"
Before her best friend makes it to the door of the hospital room Alison calls out, "Britt?" There's worry etched in her voice and all of a sudden Ali feels like she's going to have a panic attack. When Emily wakes up-because she will wake up sooner rather than later-how does she explain any of this? Is she just like surprise I work for the CIA and happen to be trying to catch the same serial killer as you?
Turning around and raising an eyebrow at the blonde Brittany inquires in a soothing tone, "Yeah…?"
"Um…uh what do I say? I mean how do I explain everything? God it's been so long and I don't even-."
"Ali!" Brittany cut off the blonde's rambling. When their gazes met again the brunette continued with a small smile on her face, "You start with 'hello'." Alison let out a lite chuckle, because Britt just knew how to get her every freaking time.
Brittany took a few steps towards the hospital bed that was being occupied by the two women and shrugged before she confessed, "As far as the rest of the conversation…I don't have a clue. You just have to…go with your gut and follow your heart…And I know our lives are chaotic and that any relationship we have-be it romantic or otherwise-is never easy because of what we do…But what you have to remember is that no matter how much you've changed since you last saw her…what you feel for her has never faltered…if anything your love for her has only increased as time has gone on. You just gotta have faith that there's a reason you two reconnected…"
Alison tried to absorb all of Brittany's words of wisdom as her best friend once again moved towards the door and she couldn't help but ask, "Why now?" Britt turned once more and leaned against the door frame as Alison expanded, "Why did God bring her back in my life now?...In this way? Why not just have us run into each other on the street or something?"
Without missing a beat Brittany cracked her signature smile before boldly proclaiming, "Better story for the grandkids." And with that she made her way out of the room and into the hallway before Alison could ask any more questions.
"Grandkids…" The blonde mulled the concept over in her head as she felt her cheeks and neck burn red in embarrassment, because Lord she and Emily haven't even spoken yet…and Brittany's already giving them multiple generations of offspring.
But if Alison DiLaurentis had her way the two would never be a part again and their future would definitely include a family…
CIA New York City Headquarters
Medical Ward
November 11, 2019
9:00pm
Emily Fields couldn't figure out why she felt so safe given that a serial killer had tried to kill her the last time she was conscious. Wait…was she dead right now? Is that why all the previous pain she had felt when she woke up in the ammunition plant was gone? Oh my God that had to be what happened. That bastard had actually succeeded in ending her life. But Emily swears she felt someone rescuing her…God why was her memory so jumbled? Why were her thoughts all over the place?
Her senses were completely throwing her off…it felt like she was sleeping on a cloud-but how was that possible? If she really was dead why did it feel like someone was softly scratching her head and holding her in such a loving manner? Emily couldn't make sense of it and she just wanted to open her eyes. Maybe if she could take in her surroundings she'd be less confused…maybe things would start to come back to her.
Emily takes a deep breath through her nose and suddenly she's enveloped by the scent of warm vanilla and what she thinks is pure oxygen. And it's almost like she was having an outer body experience before because now she's aware of the sound of a strong heartbeat underneath her ear. That had to mean her head was resting on someone's chest. And now she can feel defined stomach muscles clenching under her right hand. God…whoever was holding her was incredibly strong.
Wait…holding her…warm vanilla…she'd know that heartbeat anywhere because it aligns perfectly with her own…
"Hold on, Em! Just hold on for me, please! I promise I'm gonna get you out of here, but you have to hold on!"
Oh my God, Alison! Suddenly the memories came pouring back to Emily like a tidal wave and she felt an indescribable euphoria…
Her Ali had saved her, rescued her from that horrible place…
And lifted her so effortlessly to safety.
In an instant Emily's eyes snapped open and the pace of her breathing quickened. Even though she knows in her heart that Alison was there in the ammunition plant…would she be here? Wherever the hell here was…
Blinking a few times Emily realizes that she's in a hospital bed…and she's not alone.
In the span of a mere ten seconds Emily prayed to about a hundred different saints and archangels that the person she was using as a human pillow was the beautiful blonde who had captured her heart over a decade ago.
Tentatively, Emily shifts her body and lets out a groan because DAMN her ribs hurt.
When she gently raises her head off of her savior's chest her breath catches in her throat and her heart stops beating in her chest because gazing back at her with a look of complete love and adoration swirling in her ocean blue orbs is Alison DiLaurentis.
Emily feels like time stops as her soulful brown eyes meet Alison's brilliant blue depths for the first time in over seven years. She's not sure what expression is plastered on her face right now-maybe shock or utter joy. But what she does know is that she hasn't felt this ecstatic in a very long time.
As the two women continue to be enthralled by the other Emily can't help but wonder how she had lived for so long without the blonde? Duh-you buried yourself in your job and got a degree on top of that-making sure every waking minute your mind was preoccupied with studying something or solving a case so you wouldn't think about her so much. But no matter how much you had on your plate or how busy you were Alison always made it into the crevices of your mind and remained permanently in your heart.
There are a million things that Emily wants to say-a million declarations of love that she wants to express…but she is completely frozen. And she's starting to feel lite headed again…wait has she even breathed since she locked eyes with Ali? No, she hasn't…in fact she hasn't even blinked. Emily was terrified if she closed her eyes that this would be a dream-that her limbs wouldn't be loosely wrapped around the blonde and they wouldn't be sharing the same air right now.
When Alison brings her right hand up to lightly hold Emily's cheek and gently stroke it in a tender caress the brunette finally sucks in some air because this is real…she can feel it. The brunette instinctively leans into Ali's touch-she never could stop her body from responding to the blonde and truthfully she never wants to. Emily loves the effect they have on each other and God did she love Alison with every fiber of her being.
"Hi." Hearing Ali's sweet voice had tears prickling up behind her eyes because it's honestly her favorite sound in the entire world and it had been so long since she'd heard that tone that Alison only reserved for her…
Emily softly shakes her head and tries desperately to stop herself from crying as she lets out in pure astonishment, "It's really you."
Ali offers her a small smile as she tries to keep her own tears at bay, "Yeah Em. It's me."
Taking a better look at her lost (but now found) love Emily notes that Alison let her glorious hair grow out again and God the blonde had always had a great body, but now she was just so…lean and fit. Like in better shape than the former swimmer ever was. No wonder she had made such a tantalizing pillow…
Emily wraps her hand around Alison's that remained on her cheek and softly kisses the blonde's palm before she declares, "You kept your promise."
A puzzling look crosses Alison's face as she inquires, "What?"
And Emily can't help but smile because the blonde was just too adorable, "You promised you'd get me out if I held on…and now here we are."
"You heard that? I thought you were unconscious…" The blonde trailed off.
Now it was Emily's turn to tenderly caress the blonde's cheek before she honestly uttered, "Your voice stopped me from giving into the darkness."
Alison's cheeks turned a bright shade of red before Emily continued, "You've always been my light, Ali."
Emily rested the undamaged part of her forehead against Alison's and closed her eyes-in complete contentment for the first time since she'd held the blonde in her arms on prom night. Emily's body felt like it was on fire being this close to Alison and it was a delicious sensation, one that the detective never wanted to go without again. She'd always theorized that she and the blonde were soulmates who needed to be reunited in order to truly live the lives they were meant to…and if anything the way she was feeling right now confirmed that very notion.
Emily doesn't know how much time passes as she continues to just cradle the blonde's face within her hands…she never wants to let her go. She knows that as a detective she should be trying to put all of these pieces together. The serial killer, Brittany's connection to the victims, and Alison's connection to the former All American, but Emily doesn't care about any of that right now-the only thing consuming her thoughts are memories of her and Ali and for the first time in a very long time: hope. Hope for what the future holds. Hope for what they can become…
"Em I know you probably have a lot of questions and I know I have a lot of explaining to do…but it's complicated and I want to tell you everything, but I don't know if I can-"
Hearing Alison's sweet voice Emily had opened her eyes and seeing the blonde ramble drew so much attention to her soft, perfectly heart shaped pink lips…and they were so so close to each other.
Before Alison could stumble over her words even more the brunette had cut her off with a chaste kiss, because God she had to kiss her…and Alison tasted just as sweet as Emily remembered. When Emily pulls back ever so slightly so she can gaze into Ali's eyes and make sure she's ok with this…because the detective had never really considered that the blonde wouldn't be…Alison's ocean blue eyes are two shades darker and shimmering with a mixture of lust and love. Yeah if Emily thought her head was spinning from the carbon monoxide in the ammunition plant before…Alison DiLaurentis looking at her like that was going to knock (and leave) her unconscious.
Before Emily could muster up an apology or something else to say, Alison had surged forward and brought their lips back together. The action momentarily took the brunette off guard but she quickly recovered and reciprocated Alison's passion filled kiss. Well I guess that answered her question on whether or not the blonde wanted this…
They kissed and kissed desperately clutching at one another trying to make up for the seven years of lost time. Emily couldn't help but moan into the kiss because God she hadn't felt this alive in such a long time. And Alison yeah Alison was still so damn talented with that tongue of her's. Emily was so lost in the blonde that she forgot she more than likely had suffered a concussion and had ingested near fatal amounts of carbon monoxide. Hence why she had pure oxygen pouring through her system through a nasal cannula and felt so breathless right now…okay yeah the heavy make out session could have contributed to that as well. But damn this was the love of her life and she wanted to show Alison how much she loved her-wanted to pour her entire soul into this kiss, but her body just wouldn't allow it.
Reluctantly Emily pulled back from the kiss and rested her forehead back against Alison's. She was breathing so heavily she feared her lungs might collapse. And Alison looked so beautiful underneath her-lips parted and blue eyes ablaze-yeah there was no way in hell she was ever letting the blonde out of her life again. She didn't care what secrets Alison had, hell she never did, all she cared about was finally getting their happy ending against all odds-against all discouragement that could be...
"Ali, I'm-I'm sorry, I didn't want to s-stop-p, but I-I can't breathe." Emily needed to explain why she pulled away because if she wasn't suffering from any injuries or ailments she knows she wouldn't have been able to control herself. She would have worshipped Alison like the queen she is…in every conceivable way.
Alison brushed a dark strand of hair behind the brunette's ear before she replied in a soothing tone, "No Em, I'm sorry. It's just…I've been dreaming about kissing you for seven years and it all came pouring out…I totally forgot you're hurt." When the blonde finished she lightly stroked Emily's cheek with her thumb and the brunette shivered from the intimate gesture.
"Thank you." Emily was alive because of Alison and she needed the blonde to know how grateful she was.
"For what?" God that inquisitive look Ali got on her face was almost too much for the detective to handle. How could she have become a hundred times more beautiful than Emily remembered-she was already drop dead gorgeous all those years ago, but now words can't even begin to describe her.
Emily offered Alison a sheepish smile before she honestly replied, "For always saving me." And it was the absolute truth Alison had always managed to save her-from the barn, in Ravenswood, from Charles' dollhouse, and now from the ammunition plant.
God how had she ever doubted this angel of a human being?
When Alison had returned during senior year Emily didn't know if she could trust the blonde to not break her heart again so she had distanced herself from her and desperately tried to find solace with someone else (even though every time she was with another woman all she could think about was her first love).
Looking into Alison's eyes now Emily knows that this woman will treasure her heart and soul-has always treasured her heart and soul-and she can't help but smile at that because she feels whole again.
And she knows it won't be easy-they have so much to talk about…and a serial killer to catch, but it'll be worth it. She wants a relationship with Alison DiLaurentis more than she's ever wanted anything. And she'll fight anything or anyone who tries to get between them.
"I missed you so much Em." Alison's looking at her like she can't believe she's real and it makes Emily's heart flutter in amazement. Instead of responding verbally Emily snuggles back into the blonde resting her head on Alison's chest and snaking her arm around her waist in a tender embrace. She sighs contently when Alison wraps her incredibly strong arms around her.
"Just never let me go, Ali." The detective sleepily utters as she suddenly feels absolutely exhausted.
"I won't, ever again. I promise." As Emily's eyes close for the final time that night Alison places a gentle kiss on the injured part of her forehead and the brunette smiles because she knows when she wakes up her Ali will be there-guarding her and making sure she's safe…
Emily had thought her life was coming to an end in that abandoned ammunition plant, but it turns out it was just starting to bloom into fruition with the love of her life forever at her side.
So...did I have them kiss too soon? I really struggled with how I wanted their first conversation to go-like I wanted it to be realistic but I also just really wanted them to come back together, express their feelings, and leave all the crap behind so this is what we got. Please let me know what you think-too rushed or okay the way it was?
I'll try to update soonish but I've been applying like crazy for jobs since graduation and sometimes I get in a writing funk because of the rejection and what not, but writing this story has confirmed that I am intelligent and creative lol even if some companies don't think so...thanks for being patient guys, but I promise there are going to be so many damn Emison moments in this story now-and unlike Marlene I keep my freaking promises!