Hello beautiful people! I know it's been forever since I've updated this story, so I appreciate if you're sticking with me! I hope you all enjoy and as always please let me know what you think!
Just an FYI that Grad School starts up again for me on Tuesday and I'm not sure how much time I'll have to write fanfiction during the semester...I'm thinking it won't be as hectic as it was during the fall, but I won't really know until I get syllabuses for my classes-which none of my professors have sent out yet lol. So we'll just have to see!
I think you guys will enjoy this chapter-a lot of questions get answered, a new romantic relationship gets explored, and some familiar faces return...
Guardian Angel: An Emison Story Chapter Ten
Small World
November 20, 2019
Central Park
Manhattan, New York City
6:00 am
"How crazy is it that Eva's catering the fashion show Hanna's designs are in?" Brittany asked as she and Ali jogged (okay, let's be real, sprinted) along the paved path through Central Park with Pepe happily tagging along. The two of them tried to run together every morning, no matter where the CIA had them stationed, as a way to decompress and refocus. Ali can't even remember how many times the two of them had a game changing revelation regarding a case they'd been assigned while they'd been jogging. Brittany always said it was the fresh air that got their brains thinking more clearly and who knows maybe she was onto something. However, this was the first morning all week that Ali was even around for their run, because she'd spent the last few naked in Emily Fields' bed. And after spending the night with her girlfriend receiving and giving orgasm after orgasm there was no way Alison could go running with Brittany, who even on her slow days jogged like a fucking Olympian.
The only reason the blonde wasn't waking up to Emily ravishing her body again today was because the detective had slept over at Hanna's brownstone. Caleb had called her tanned beauty the night before urging her to come over because his wife was having a mild panic attack about her fashion show the following night. Luckily for the computer genius Ali and Emily hadn't gotten hot and heavy yet or else there's no way her girlfriend would have left. A part of Alison felt slightly guilty because she'd been taking up almost all of Emily's time. They ate every meal together, worked on the Charles/Elliot Rollins/Archer Dunhill case together, and got lost in each other every night. The blonde guardian doesn't even know when the last time Hanna or Chloe even saw her mermaid, which is why she all but demanded Emily go and be a best friend to the fashion designer. Their goodbye kiss had turned into a make out session however and Alison had to remind herself that she didn't want to be that possessive girlfriend who never let Emily spend time with anyone else but her. It was just hard to be away from her soulmate for any extended period of time though, because they'd already spent seven years apart.
Ali realized that she never actually answered Brittany when her best friend laughed besides her. Everyone in her family had been teasing her for the last few days about how often she zoned out and let her thoughts wander to Emily. They were all of course insanely happy for her, but just found her love sick behavior rather amusing.
Nudging Brittany playfully with her shoulder, Alison blushed as she huffed out, "Before you ask, yes I was thinking about Emily." She saw Brittany smirk out of the corner of her eye and was mildly surprised when the tall brunette held her tongue and didn't throw out a smart-ass comment. As they rounded another corner Alison finally replied to the other woman's rhetorical question, "We really do live in a small world."
"And Mandela's practically bursting at the seam because he finally gets to introduce us to his best friend Chloe…"
Alison smiled as she thought about the little boy who meant so much to her, and the little girl who had captured her mermaid's heart, "I still can't believe that our nephew and Emily's goddaughter are best friends. Like how does that even happen?"
Brittany smiled down at her, "I told you God was going to bring Emily and the others back into your life when the time was right." Ali's heart warmed at her best friend's reasoning as she remembered the conversation the two of them had in the Revolutionary Bean almost two weeks ago, I swear Brittany's secretly a prophet working for the father almighty, because how else could she be so wise?
"From the looks of things, he really wanted the two of you to be reunited."
"Who knows maybe in time he'll bring your mystery woman back into your orbit as well," Ali countered and did a little happy dance when the former basketball star blushed. It was so hard to fluster the tall brunette, but whoever this woman was from eighteen months ago, clearly was one of Britt's weaknesses (Mandela and coffee being the others). And really Alison was hoping God would bring this person back into Brittany's world because she wanted her to be as happy as the blonde was with Emily.
Before Brittany could offer any kind of response Pepe saw a squirrel and bolted after the small animal, effectively ending their conversation. Thankfully the sheltie didn't bark too loud as he ran up to the tree the squirrel had scampered up and began whimpering.
"Pepe, c'mon buddy leave the poor squirrel alone!" Ali called after the ten-year-old canine who acted like such a puppy sometimes.
Once Pepe realized he had no chance in getting the squirrel he decided to roll around in the thin layer of snow instead. Alison laughed and Brittany just shook her head-this dog was seriously too much sometimes.
"Pepe you better hope you dry off before we get home…" Her best friend tried to sound stern as the dog trotted back over to them on the paved path, but the sheltie just gave Brittany a challenging look. He was so spoiled and knew there was no way the tall brunette would ever actually punish him. The worst Brittany would do is only give him one instead of two Milk Bone treats…
As the two started back on their run, Alison voiced a thought that she'd been muddling over since Brian and Reggie had brought Charles' psychologist and protégé into custody a few days, "Do you get a weird vibe with Archer Dunhill?"
Brittany offered her an incredulous look before she pointed out, "He's a serial killer, Ali…"
Alison huffed out in frustration, "No, I know…obviously, he's creepy as hell, but…it's just…I don't know he looks so familiar and I can't place him and it's driving me insane."
Her best friend glanced at her as they made it out of Central Park and headed onto Malcolm X Boulevard that would take them through Harlem and eventually back into The Bronx.
"I know what you mean…I swear I've seen him somewhere, maybe it was just briefly…," Brittany muttered before she asked, "Did you notice he has really strange scaring on his face that doesn't look that old?"
Ali's eyebrows furrowed as she concluded, "Do you think he had plastic surgery?"
Her best friend shrugged her shoulders as she sighed out, "Probably…God how do we catch our serial killer and the middle man only to have things get even more complicated?"
The blonde laughed before she truthfully stated, "It wouldn't really be a case of ours if the answers were easy to come by." Just once I'd like to work a case that was routine and normal…although, I'm not even sure what normal would entail. "Plus, Charles is a psychopath, which makes understanding what he's planning rather challenging…"
"Good point, sis. It also doesn't help that neither Dr. Rollins or Archer Dunhill will give us anything either…"
Ali shook her head, "Honestly, you'd think they'd care about helping themselves out…you know avoiding the death penalty and all…"
Brittany scoffed as a disgusted look spread over her face, "Charles has them brain washed. All they care about is making sure he can achieve his endgame, which means keeping their mouths shut. Our best bet is trying to get Vivian to tell us something."
Now it was Alison's turn to scoff as she thought about the woman who was masquerading under the name Vivian Darkbloom, the name she herself used to go by when she'd been living on the run all those years ago, Jesus the irony of it all.
"Because that went so well the first time we tried it…God, I never could stand that bitch," The blonde revealed a few moments later and Brittany squeezed her arm in reassurance.
"Alison left Rosewood like you wanted…why would you help Charles go after her and her family?" Emily was seething in the interrogation room at CIA headquarters. Alison wanted nothing more than to go in and place a calming hand on her girlfriend's shaking form, but she understood why Reggie had all but demanded that she and Brittany let Emily and her boss, Brian, lead this interrogation. The two guardians were too close to the situation to really keep their cool and as he had wisely pointed out her tall best friend would more than likely "throttle the bitch before she gets a word out." So, she, Brittany, and Reggie were left watching through the interrogation room's glass window that looked like a mirror from the other side. They could see in, but couldn't be seen.
"I don't need to explain myself to you, Detective Fields."
Before the brunette could respond to fake Vivian's smug reply, Brian interjected as he placed a comforting hand on Emily's arm underneath the metal table, "Actually Lieutenant Tanner it would be wise of you to talk to us. You're looking at some serious time right now because you were an accessory to four murders and we have enough evidence of your involvement in those crimes that we could bump that charge up to first degree intentional homicide," Lieutenant Williams' voice was stern and held a clear threat.
The former Rosewood Police Department Lieutenant who had made Alison's life a living hell senior year (and was now making phone calls to their serial killer) didn't seem that concerned however as she defensively crossed her arms over her chest and raised a challenging eyebrow.
"In fact, the four women you, Elliot Rollins, and Archer Dunhill targeted, tortured, and killed fall into such a specifically crafted category that their murders could be classified as hate crimes…which would land all three of your asses in federal penitentiaries."
Lieutenant Tanner just scoffed at the legal knowledge Brian was dropping, before she turned her attention back to Emily and declared, "It doesn't matter what you threaten me with, you'll never stop Charles. You couldn't keep Alison safe from him then Emily, what really makes you think this time will be any different? Because you openly love her now? Please…"
The blonde's heart clenched for her girlfriend because she could see just how affected the kind detective was by the Lieutenant's harsh words.
However, when Emily spoke she was poised and collected and Alison found herself falling even more in love with her.
"I told you back then Lieutenant Tanner to never under estimate the way I feel about Alison and I'm telling you now that mine and her family's love will keep her safe from Charles. He doesn't stand a chance in hell and you are a fucking moron to ever think that he did," With that her love assertively stood up from the table and stormed out of the interrogation room walking directly into Alison's waiting arms.
"I honestly don't think she's going to tell us anything, Britt. Charles has her brain washed too," Alison argued and a smirk spread over her best friend's face. What have you got up your sleeve Johnson?
A few moments later Brittany answered her unspoken question, "I never said she had to tell us anything verbally…"
Putting two and two together, Alison excitedly blurted out, "Wait, did you find out where Lieutenant Tanner's been staying?"
"Well, I found a rented storage unit listed under the name Vivian Darkbloom in Queens and was going to check it out before we go to Hanna's fashion show at the Met tonight. Would you care to assist me, Ali?" Brittany grinned at her and Alison saw that determined flare return to her soulful blue eyes and she all but squealed because this might actually get them somewhere.
"I fucking love you! How did you even find it? I thought there was zero trace of Tanner after she left Rosewood three years ago?"
"I'm slightly offended that after all this time, you still question my ability to unearth the untraceable," Ali could tell Britt was joking and she nudged into the taller woman, who was slowly morphing back into her confident self, as they crossed the bridge over the Harlem River. Pepe excitedly barked as they ran back into The Bronx. Alison chuckled because Pepe was always thrilled whenever they returned from leaving the borough's confines and made it back home. Brittany reached down and scratched the sheltie behind his ear mid stride and the blonde just shook her head. Note to self: never under estimate Brittany and what she can do physically or intellectually-whether it's showing our dog affection without losing any speed whatsoever while running or uncovering a seemingly untraceable woman's hiding spot.
Despite knowing Brittany for over seven years and working with her for over six at the CIA, there were still times Alison just starred at her best friend in awe. The blonde never doubted her own abilities, but she couldn't deny that Brittany just possessed something extra. A special kind of gift that afforded her the unique attributes to excel in her work as a guardian. She's going to put all this together before Em and I even scratch the surface, I just fucking know it.
November 20, 2019
Vivian Darkbloom (i.e. Lieutenant Linda Tanner)'s Storage Unit
Queens, New York City
10:00 am
"How can one person have so much shit?" Brittany muttered under her breath and Alison chuckled. The two of them had already been scrounging around in the storage unit for over an hour. There had to be over one hundred boxes within the small space all filled to the brim with literal crap. There appeared to be no rhyme or reason for why certain documents and photographs were in certain boxes…
"And if you're going to have so much shit, why wouldn't you label the boxes with at least a year or something? Wouldn't that just make sense?" Her best friend continued to rant and the blonde groaned in agreement. Working for the CIA had really spoiled them. They were used to sifting through hordes of information using the most advanced technology in the world, not going through a middle-aged woman's taxes and receipts by hand…
Alison could feel her legs beginning to cramp because she'd been sitting with them crossed on the floor of the storage unit for almost an hour. In the process of stretching and extending them the piles of manila folders she'd been looking through scattered across the floor-adding to their ever-mounting mess of paper.
She let out an exaggerated groan and Brittany glanced up at her from the pile she was currently pouring over and laughed at her frustrated antics.
"Shut up, that was not funny!" Ali weakly argued and her best friend threw her hands up in surrender as she tried (and failed) not to laugh at the blonde's struggles.
Alison closed her eyes and took a calming breath. It was no secret she was on edge. Not only because of her psychotic half-brother, but because she was more than likely going to be coming face to face with Hanna, Spencer, and Aria tonight for the first time in over seven years following the designer's fashion show. It wasn't that she didn't want to see her former best friends, she was just so damn nervous.
"Ali, they're going to be thrilled to see you again," Brittany quietly reassured and Ali opened her blue eyes so she could look at the woman who once again managed to read her like a book.
"Emily said they all miss you and besides if things don't go well, mom, Bradley, Eva, Mandela, and I will be right there," Her best friend moved towards her and wrapped a supportive arm around her shoulders. The blonde leaned into the taller woman's touch and let out a heavy sigh. Brittany placed a tender kiss on the crown of her head, "You can do this, Ali. And no matter what happens you'll never be alone."
The blonde smiled into the brunette's shoulder as she hugged Britt back and asked, "Promise?"
"Well…I can promise that I'll always be here for you. You're never getting rid of me."
"Like I'd even want to," Ali declared with a playful hint to her tone before she lifted her head so she could look Brittany directly in the eyes as she sincerely professed, "You're my best friend soulmate. I'd be lost without you, Britt."
Alison could see how much her words touched the taller woman who had to avert her gaze and blink away her tears.
A few moments later Brittany was composed enough to look back at her, "You are not allowed to say shit that's going to make me cry when we're supposed to be focusing on unearthing psychotic connections."
The blonde offered her most apologetic smile, "Sorry," as the brunette playfully shoved her away.
Ten minutes later, an invoice from a Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon's Office, that was actually filed in a manila folder labeled "Medical Expenses", caught Alison's attention.
The guardian frantically paged through the documents within the folder.
Please please let there be a treatment plan with the patient's information or some before and after pictures so we can find out who Archer Dunhill actually is.
In her near desperate search two 4x6 pictures fell onto her lap and Ali's breath hitched.
No. No. This can't be right. Why would he do this?! No, no he's not a serial killer! Sure he was attracted to younger women and was a total creep back then, but a ruthless murderer?
"Ali, are you okay? What did you find?" Brittany worriedly asked as she crawled back over to the blonde's side of the storage unit.
Alison was at a loss for words however and could only hand over the pictures that revealed a truth she never expected to find with trembling hands.
As Brittany's brilliant blue eyes looked over the images, hot anger coursed through Alison's veins. How fucking dare he…after everything!
"Oh my God…" Her best friend trailed off and Ali could see the gears beginning to turn in her head and a guilty expression form on her face.
"Why would he do this? How could he do this?" The blonde was seething and she felt like going to the Federal Penitentiary where the former English teacher was being held and kicking his ass. That's why Archer Dunhill looked so fucking familiar, because pre-plastic surgery he was Ezra Fitz. Jesus fucking Christ.
"It's all my fault…" Brittany whispered and Alison had to strain to hear her.
The blonde's eyebrows furrowed. How could Brittany possibly blame herself for what Ezra had done?
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you remember why Dr. Rollins told Charles his friend Archie would be a good protégé to carry on his legacy?"
A confused look spread over Alison's face as she thought back to the surveillance footage from Charles' solitary confinement cell they saw last week.
A few moments later she recalled the psychologist's explanation, "Because he was feeling dissatisfied with life after his ex-girlfriend wouldn't take him back. What does that have to do with you though?"
Brittany finally lifted her head and she looked so pained. Her eyes were imploring Alison to put the pieces together.
That surveillance footage was from a year and a half ago. What else happened a year and a half ago?
It finally dawned on her.
"Oh my God…the woman you saved in the alleyway…that was Aria."
June 21, 2017
Manhattan, New York City
11:00 pm
It was a typical night of roof jumping for the CIA guardian. She went unnoticed by the citizens of New York as she literally soared above them. Brittany had mastered the craft of doing remarkable things completely under the radar years ago, and this night was panning out to be no different until she heard the sounds of a heated argument filtering up from an alleyway mid stride.
"Aria, why won't you just hear me out?!"
The former basketball star stood on the ledge of the four-story building she just landed on and peered down-accessing the situation. And even though she promised Reggie she wouldn't mettle in NYPD crimes anymore, she couldn't in good conscious walk away if things were to escalate between the brown-haired man in his late twenties/early thirties who was following an incredibly tiny brunette further and further into the alleyway. It was obvious that she was trying to get away from him…
"I heard you out for years, Ezra! And instead of respecting my wishes you followed me to New York when I'm trying to support my friend?! I cannot believe you!"
"It's the only way I could talk to you! Every time I show up at your apartment in Boston, Mike's there and he won't let me in!"
"Because he's my brother and he loves me and he knows how much you hurt me…how much you keep hurting me because you won't leave me the hell alone!" The small woman's voice cracked and Brittany could tell that she was on the verge of tears.
God, she needs someone to just wrap her in a hug and shower her with affection and love…someone with a kind heart and good soul-wow, you literally just described yourself-do not let your thoughts go there Johnson.
"If you would just let me love you, we wouldn't have any problems! You wouldn't hurt anymore, Aria!" Okay, this guy seriously needs to take a hint and realize she is not taking him back under any circumstance. She's done-it's over between them. Jesus, why is every man besides my brother so oblivious?
The tiny brunette crossed her arms defensively over her chest-obviously trying to shield herself from her ex-boyfriend who sounds like he's a borderline stalker.
"Ezra, I'm not the same fifteen-year-old girl in your English class…I've changed and because of that we don't work anymore. We haven't worked in a long time."
This poor woman sounded so defeated and damn if they started dated when she was his student no wonder they had issues. He used his position to manipulate her…hell she probably lost her virginity to him and everything and he fucked her over the coals. Asshole. She's much too beautiful to put up with bullshit like that. Okay, Britt seriously you need to chill.
"Why do you keep saying that Aria?! Can't you see that we're meant to be?" Ezra took a threatening step towards Aria, effectively trapping her between the brick wall of the building, a dumpster, and his much larger frame. Shit, this does not look good. He could unravel at any second. "I love you, Aria."
The guardian effortlessly jumped from the ledge of the building into the alleyway making very little noise upon impact. Damn I'm good, Mandela's superhero assessment might not be that far off...
The tiny brunette bitterly shook her head at the declaration before she stood her ground and asserted, "But I don't love you."
Something in Ezra seemed to snap as Aria's words sank in. He forcibly shoved Aria into the brick wall, held her up aggressively and shouted, "You ungrateful bitch! After everything that I've done for you! All the sacrifices I've made!"
Brittany sprinted towards the feuding exes and grabbed Ezra right as he raised his fist and was about to strike Aria. The guardian threw Ezra against the dumpster and stood protectively between him and the tiny brunette who was trembling against the brick wall of the building. She didn't shove Ezra hard enough to break any of his bones, but he would definitely be sore when he woke up in the morning…
The athletic brunette authoritatively crossed her arms over her chest and issued her most intimidating glare as she demanded, "I would suggest that you get the hell out of here and most importantly you leave her alone or else you'll have to deal with me again…and trust me you really don't want to do that."
Ezra grimaced as he stood back up grabbing his shoulder and looked her up and down. Yeah, you won't be able to do shit to me buddy.
Realizing he didn't physically stand a chance in hell against the CIA agent, Ezra spat in her direction as he began to back away, "What are you her guard dog?"
'No, her guardian angel' Brittany thought with a small smile spreading across her face as her observant eyes made sure Ezra retreated completely out of the alleyway before she turned to check on the spooked woman. As the most beautiful pair of hazel eyes she'd ever seen looked up at her in gratitude, Brittany's breath caught in her throat.
"You recognized Aria?" Alison asked in a soft voice. Brittany looked so guilty and it pained the blonde mightily to see her best friend beat herself up. Sure, she wished the tall brunette would have told her that the mystery woman she's been pining over for a year and a half was one of her former best friends from Rosewood. But she can't exactly blame Brittany for not saying anything. Alison probably wouldn't have reacted the greatest, especially given that at that time Emily wasn't back in her life yet.
"Yes…I was only planning on making sure she got back to her hotel safely, but…we just connected and I'd never been drawn to anyone like that before…and God, when she kissed me-"
"Wait, she kissed you?" Alison interrupted because she was just so surprised. She'd never known Aria to be attracted to women, but then again Brittany was well, Brittany. Much like Emily, Brittany was a bi-curious girl's dream.
The tall brunette's cheeks flushed red as her eyes briefly met Alison's, "Yeah…I was too nervous to initiate anything."
The blonde cracked a smile as she teased Britt, "Always such a gentlewoman…"
Ali's lighthearted teasing seemed to get the other woman to relax and she smiled back at her, "I can't help it if my mother raised me right."
Alison nodded her head and truthfully stated, "That she did."
They shared a look of understanding for a few content moments before the guardian carefully asked, "Britt…if you felt so strongly for Aria, how did you leave her that following morning?"
June 22, 2017
Daisy's Café
Manhattan, New York City
11:00 am
Aria held the agent's hand across the table and played with her fingers, which Brittany thought was just too damn adorable, as she quietly revealed, "I haven't felt anything like this before. It feels like I've known you my whole life."
When the art teacher's beautiful hazel eyes met her own Brittany honestly replied, "I feel the same way…"
God, I've known you for twelve hours and already I've fallen for you…
The tiny brunette smiled at her and the guardian hated herself for having to end things with this remarkable woman so shortly after meeting her. They just connected on a level that was out of this world and it seemed like the universe was playing a cruel trick on them.
"But you deserve to be with someone who can really be there for you, Aria."
A pained look spread over Aria's face as the tall brunette continued to explain, "My job takes me all over the world and makes me the arch rival of the most dangerous people on the planet. And if anything were to happen to you-" Just the thought of something happening to the compassionate soul sitting across from her makes tears form behind the guardian's eyes, "It's just too dangerous. I'm so sorry."
A tear streaked down Aria's cheek and Brittany can't help but reach up and catch it with the pad of her thumb before moving over to the other side of the table and bringing the teacher into her protective arms. Aria clung to her and buried her face in the crook of her neck before she choked out, "It's so unfair."
"I know," The tall brunette painfully offered a similar sentiment as she relished in the feel of Aria being in her arms. She never wanted to let her go, but Brittany had accepted a long time ago that her personal happiness would always come in second behind keeping the world safe.
A few minutes later they were standing outside the café and the usually confident CIA agent awkwardly looked down smiling at their contrast in footwear-her Nike running shoes compared to Aria's one of a kind heels. The last thing Brittany wanted to do was walk away from Aria, but she knew she needed to.
When she finally mustered up enough strength to look up and into those hazel eyes that she knew would forever haunt her, the guardian kissed the teacher on the cheek and declared, "You deserve the world, Aria Montgomery. Don't ever settle for anything or anyone less."
Before she can disappear into the alleyway behind the café, Aria wrapped her arms around her neck and pulled her back in for a lingering kiss. The CIA agent marveled at how perfectly the two of them just fit as she lifted Aria off the ground and passionately kissed her back. Fuck it was going to be really hard to walk away now…this was so not part of the plan. Like love ever even has a plan though…
They pulled apart when it became difficult to breathe and Aria caressed her cheek so softly that Brittany nearly melted into the ground.
"That's why I'm not giving up on us before we even have a chance to begin. I don't care if it's dangerous...I've felt more alive in the last twelve hours with you than I ever have before in my life…so I'll wait. I'll wait for you, Brittany Johnson."
"Wait, what?!" Alison couldn't believe what she was hearing. Aria had fought for her best friend after she'd given her the whole 'I work for the CIA and you could be killed if you're associated with me' speech?
Brittany smiled at her, "It surprised me too."
"So…I mean do you two like talk or…meet up…" The blonde was flabbergasted. Jesus, you think I would have noticed if Brittany was sneaking off to Boston…
"This is going to sound lame, but we write each other letters."
Alison felt her heart flutter, "Oh my God, that's so sweet." She'd always been a sucker for hopeless romantic gestures like that and obviously Brittany was too because she was as red as a tomato right now.
Suddenly a thought occurred to the blonde and she felt ridiculous for not finding out the answer sooner, "Does Aria know about me being in your family?"
"She knows that I have a younger brother and sister who I love beyond words, but I haven't told her that her former best friend who dipped out of Rosewood without a trace seven years ago is my remarkable sister…Honestly I didn't know how to tell her that or whether or not you'd be okay with me telling her that…and finding that out would have required me actually telling you about Aria being the mystery woman, and yeah I never did that…but I'm sure she'll put all the pieces together tonight when you're reunited with all of them again and you know me and the fam are only a few feet away…"
Alison shook her head, "God, why is everything in our lives so incredibly complicated?"
Almost as if on cue, Reggie called them not even five seconds later declaring:
"Come to headquarters immediately. We have a problem."
November 19, 2019
Hanna, Caleb, and Chloe Rivers' Brownstone
Manhattan, New York City
7:00 pm
"Aunt Emmy thank goodness you came over, momma was having a spaz attack," Chloe dramatically stated as she curled up further in the detective's lap on the couch in Hanna's living room.
The brunette smiled down at the little girl while she wrapped her arms around her tiny body and explained, "Yeah…us grownups have those sometimes."
Chloe's big blue eyes looked up at her as she huffed out in a very Hanna-like manner, "But why is momma so nervous? Her clothes are fabulous! Everyone will love them!"
Emily giggled at the toddler's truthful assessment. Hanna seriously had nothing to worry about. But the detective knew how much her best friend cared about her work…and how much of a perfectionist she could be at times-wanting everything to be perfect.
"You really think so, baby?" Hanna had been in the kitchen but had made her way into the spacious living room to hear the end of Chloe's declaration.
The adorable toddler shifted in Emily's arms so she could look at her mother, "Momma I know so!"
Before Hanna could respond to her mini-me the doorbell rang and the fashion designer quirked her eyebrow.
"Hmmm that's weird. I'm not expecting anyone," Hanna mumbled as she walked to the door with Emily and Chloe moving off the couch and following right behind her. The detective was feeling rather protective over everyone in her life at the moment and she wasn't about to let her best friend be ambushed by anyone…not like anyone was coming after her, but still.
When Hanna opened the front door, she squealed and practically tackled the two women who were standing on the other side of the threshold. Emily beamed and Chloe excitedly squirmed in her arms as her eyes fell on her other two aunts.
"What the hell I thought you guys could only come to the show?!"
When Hanna finally released team Sparia from her vice grip, Spencer explained, "We wanted to surprise you, Han!"
Caleb had ventured toward the front door to see what all the commotion was about and yelled when he saw who else was there, "Tobs!"
The computer genius wrapped Toby in a bear hug and Spencer's fiancé jokingly inquired, "Hey Caleb! Jeez did you miss me or something?"
Hanna laughed at her husband before she teased, "He's just glad to have another guy around for a couple days."
After everyone had made their way back inside Emily set Chloe down and she ran over to her newly arrived aunts.
"Aunt Spencer! Aunt Aria! I missed you!"
Aria scooped the toddler into her arms and exclaimed, "We missed you too Chloe bear!"
The detective moved over to Spencer and wrapped her in a warm hug, "It's so good to see you, Spence."
When they pulled apart the lawyer looked at her searchingly and noted, "You look different."
"I know she's practically glowing," Aria chimed in and the swimmer felt her cheeks blush furiously. There's no way I can hide my happiness from them. They'll all see right through me…
"Oh thank God you two noticed it too, I thought I was going crazy," Hanna just had to throw her two cents in as the four women and Chloe made their way into the kitchen and she yelled over her shoulder to Caleb, "Take Toby down to the man cave, babe. You're allowed!"
Caleb came into the kitchen and playfully wrapped his arms around Hanna's middle from behind as he placed loving kisses all over her face, "Thank you, baby. I love you," before he looked up and sincerely stated, "Spencer and Aria it's great to see you both again."
They both echoed back with choruses of "You too Caleb" as Hanna yelled after her retreating husband, who looked like a giddy teenager as he made his way towards the basement with Toby, "I love you too! Just don't make a mess!"
"No worries Han, I'll keep him in line!" Toby reassured and they all laughed.
"The bromance between them is too real…" Spencer commented as she sat down at the breakfast bar with Aria and Chloe soon following suit.
"It's good for Caleb to have some male interaction…he spends almost all his time having tea parties with Chloe and listening to me rant about fashion trends," Hanna joked as she moved over towards the fridge and pulled out four water bottles explaining, "I'd offer you guys wine…but I really can't have any semblance of a hangover tomorrow."
Three hours later the four best friends were sitting in Hanna's living room clad in their fuzzy pajamas eating snacks and catching up. Chloe was fast asleep in her bedroom while Toby and Caleb were discussing some new programming software that the computer genius was developing in the 'man cave'. The four women were all sitting on the same couch even though there wasn't really enough room for them, but Emily didn't mind in the slightest. These three had been her rocks for as long as she could remember and she'd gladly get cramped legs if it meant she got to be close to them.
"So…Emily care to explain why you can't wipe that smile off your face?" Spencer nudged into her and the brunette felt her cheeks flush red as both innocent and not so innocent images of Alison flooded her mind.
"What? Can't a girl just be happy to be spending time with her best friends?" She tried to argue, but Emily knew she didn't convince any of them.
"Yes…she can, but you look like Aria after she was rescued by her lesbian lover…" Hanna teased and had to recoil into the couch as the art teacher reached across Emily and Spencer's bodies and swatted the designer's arm.
"For the last time Hanna she's not my lesbian lover! We didn't have sex then and I haven't even seen her since, so…"
"Well, I think she's an idiot. You two share this amazing connection and then she doesn't want to be with you…"
"It's complicated, Han," Aria let out a frustrated sigh and ran her hand through her hair.
"What is so complicated about being in a relationship with someone?" The designer threw back and Emily was tempted to tell Hanna to watch it because if anyone understood complicated right now it was her. And while she didn't exactly know a lot about Aria's situation because she's so often engrossed in her work that she never gets to have heart to hearts with her friends, she feels for the small brunette. Hell, she knows what it's like to fall head over heels for someone and not be able to have them in your life. To dream about them every single night only to wake up in the morning and not have them lying next to you. But I have Ali now…and God it's amazing.
"Umm isn't your husband the one who ran off to Ravenswood and developed feelings for a ghost Hanna?" Spencer challenged and then rhetorically inquired, "That didn't complicate things at all for you two?"
The feisty blonde crossed her arms over her chest as she groaned, "Ugh whatever that is completely different Hastings. We were dealing with -A and supernatural forces…besides I knew Caleb and I would find our way back to each other."
"Exactly! Maybe Aria knows that she and her...alleyway savior will find their way back to each other too."
Emily, Hanna, and Aria all looked at Spencer with raised eyebrows. The lawyer had always been a realist, so to see her be so optimistic was rather odd.
The tall brunette laughed as she explained, "What? Toby makes me believe in happily ever after, damn. Besides there's nothing wrong with having a little hope."
Wow, Spence always used to say hope breeds eternal misery…looks like her philosophy has changed a little over the years.
Hanna conceded a few moments later, "Okay fine. Aria, if you want to hold out hope for your letter writing beau that's fine…but if she ever hurts you, I'm kicking her ass."
Aria smiled before she declared, "She wouldn't hurt me and you wouldn't be able to kick her ass, Han. Just saying…"
"Don't underestimate me shorty!" Hanna fired back and Emily chuckled at her best friend's antics.
"Okay! Okay! We're getting off track again!" Spencer held up her hands and turned to face Emily. Oh shit. Here comes the interrogation. The detective gulped as the brilliant brunette's eyes bore into her.
"Seriously Em did you meet someone or what because you look so…complete."
Deep breath Fields. You can do this. Ali said it was okay if you told them about your relationship and they all love you, they'll be happy for you. Okay here goes nothing…
The tanned brunette practically burst with joy as she revealed, "More like I got reunited with and am now in a relationship with the love of my life."
Emily gently shifted on the bed in one of Hanna and Caleb's spare bedrooms not wanting to disturb Aria, who she thought was peacefully sleeping next to her. It was now after three o'clock in the morning and one would think following a marathon session of answering her three best friends' questions regarding Alison and their blossoming romance she'd be exhausted. However, here she was unable to fall asleep because she was so insanely happy.
Hanna, Spencer, and Aria were thrilled to find out Ali was indeed alive and as the fashion designer so eloquently put it 'kicking mega ass'. She'd told them all about Alison's amazing adopted family, spending an obscene amount of time gushing about Brittany and the incredible work the two guardians did at the CIA (without going into too much confidential detail of course). Hanna couldn't believe that the former St. John's University basketball phenom who Emily had been damn near stalking following Rebecca's murder was Alison's best friend, co-worker, and sister; observing that they indeed lived in a small world. Aria had grown incredibly quiet during this part of the conversation, which confused Emily immensely, but she brushed it off as the compassionate art teacher being in shock. After all, it was a lot to take in…
"Emily, are you awake?" Aria's quiet voice startled the athletic brunette slightly and it took her a few seconds to reply, "Yeah," and roll over.
The art teacher's hazel eyes were filled with tears and the detective scooted closer so she could comfort the other woman, "Hey, what's wrong?"
"It's just…it all makes sense now," Emily's eyebrows furrowed as Aria explained, "Why she thought it was so complicated for us to be together."
"What are you talking about?" The detective asked while her mind ran a thousand miles a minute trying to make connections between all the information she'd divulged tonight and what that had to do with whatever was bothering her friend.
Aria wiped her eyes before she quietly revealed, "Brittany, Alison's sister, she's the one who saved me a year and a half ago…" Emily knew her mouth was hanging open. Ali's Brittany was Aria's pined over rescuer? Say what?! Okay seriously how small can the world get?
"The person I just connected with on a level I'd never experienced before and wanted to be with so badly…but she said it was too dangerous…maybe she was so hesitant because she didn't know how to explain Alison's place in her life? I mean I'm sure I'm not the person Ali wanted to be reunited with from Rosewood…"
The art teacher smiled softly at her and Emily blushed. Yeah as much as my girlfriend loves Spencer, Hanna, and Aria, I know I'm the one she was yearning for.
The detective held Aria's hand and offered her assessment of the situation, "Well, I'm thinking Brittany rescued you because she can't not help someone in trouble. She probably didn't even realize you were Alison's friend Aria from Rosewood until after Ezra left the alleyway. Then wanting to make sure you got home safely she walked you back to the hotel and was probably planning on disappearing after that, but…she obviously felt drawn to you, because well, you're rather amazing my friend."
Emily could see the art teacher absorbing her sincere words, "Knowing Brittany she probably beat herself up for even having feelings for you because she felt like she was somehow betraying Alison in the process."
Aria nodded her head in understanding and shyly inquired, "Do you think now that you're back in the picture and can be there for Ali, Brittany will stop making me wait?"
The swimmer leaned forward and kissed Aria on the forehead before she truthfully declared, "She'd be an idiot not to."
November 20, 2019
CIA New York City Headquarters
Surveillance Room
1:00 pm
"How did this happen?" Brittany asked Reggie as her worried blue eyes flickered over to Alison who was standing beside her in shock. The blonde guardian couldn't believe what she'd just seen. God, there was so much blood…
"The guard fucked up by not having his gun secured and Charles took advantage of the situation as soon as the opportunity presented itself…" Her boss trailed off in a frustrated tone. The poor guard who had gone to check on the deranged psychopath thought Charles was unconscious and didn't stand a chance after he bent over to check his pulse. As soon as he'd put himself in a vulnerable position, her former tormentor grabbed the unsuspecting guard's gun and shot him twice in the head. Charles then made his way out of the maximum security federal penitentiary completely unnoticed because he'd stolen the dead guard's uniform. He was armed, dangerous, and on the move…
"The good thing is he only escaped a couple hours ago and we can prepare-"
"He's coming to New York," Alison hollowly declared, effectively ending Reggie's positive spin on the horrific situation they now found themselves in. Her voice was laced with emotion as the reality of it all came pouring out, "He's coming to take Emily away from me. He's going to go after our family, Brittany."
Her best friend turned towards her and confidently declared, "He's not going to hurt anyone, Ali. Not on our watch," Britt's blue eyes held that determined flare that always helped calm Alison down, "Do I have to remind you that we're the most badass duo in the CIA?" A small smile formed on the blonde's face.
"Yeah, and we have our satellite facial recognition software working overtime, so we're going to find him if and when he gets into the city," Reggie stated with a flare that Ali hadn't heard in a very long time.
"Ali…I know you wanted to have this really nice reunion with everyone tonight at Hanna's fashion show and believe me I'd much rather be seeing Aria again there as opposed to somewhere else, but the risk is too high…we need to get all of them and our family somewhere safe and secure…" Brittany reasoned and Alison nodded her head in agreement.
"Where were you thinking?" The blonde asked even though she already had a pretty good idea what her best friend had in mind.
A smirk spread over Britt's face as she revealed, "I mean let's face it our house is the most secure place in the city…and it's really spacious…plus it has Pepe." Agh yes her adorable canine had the power to erase any awkward tension with one glance at his big brown eyes.
"I like that plan. That's good. I can stay here and gather intel while you two are already out in the field ready to dive into action," Reggie determined before adding, "I'm going to call Brian and have him give all of NYPD a head's up about Charles. I don't think random New Yorkers are at risk, but I'd rather be safe than sorry."
Brittany and Alison shared a look as the tall brunette agreed, "So would we," before she lightly squeezed the younger woman's arm in reassurance, "C'mon let's go keep our people safe."
Ali looked up at Britt before she inferred, "I'll call Emily, you call mom?"
The former basketball star quirked a playful eyebrow at her, "And the official merging of the Emison family begins…"
Alison swatted Brittany's arm at the mention of the 'ship' name her family had created for the blonde and Emily's relationship. She acted like she didn't like the name, but in actuality Ali loved it. There was just something about the combination of her and her girlfriend's first names that made the guardian's heart flutter. God, I can't wait for the day when our last names are combined...Okay Ali, focus on stopping Charles first.
November 20, 2019
Brittany and Alison's House
The Bronx, New York City
4:00 pm
Alison wrapped her arms tighter around Emily as she breathed her in, letting her girlfriend's unique lavender scent wash over her. Even though Charles was out there somewhere, in her brunette's arms Ali felt safe.
"Are you okay?" The detective murmured into her ear as she pulled the blonde even further into her protective arms.
"I will be," Alison truthfully answered.
Emily placed a tender kiss on the crown of her head before she pulled back slightly so she could caress her cheek. The blonde instinctively moved into the gentle touch. All her worries, all her fears, seemed to disappear as soon as she laid eyes on her tanned beauty.
Emily's soulful brown eyes stared directly into her soul as the taller woman stated with steely conviction, "We're going to stop him, Ali. I love you and I'm not letting anything happen to you."
In response Alison closed the few centimeter distance between them and pressed her lips to Emily's in a loving display of affection. It wasn't an overly passionate kiss, but a solid reminder for the blonde that her mermaid was here…in her arms…ready to fight their former tormentor together.
Their foreheads rested together a minute later and Ali breathlessly echoed, "I love you too."
Emily smiled bashfully at her as she shifted slightly to the right. Alison's brilliant blue eyes briefly left her girlfriend's loving gaze and her breath caught as she took in the sight of Spencer, Hanna, and Aria standing in her foyer. They were all in tears and sporting soft smiles and she marveled at how much they had changed in the past seven years. Well, you've changed a lot too…
Ali felt her own eyes water as she moved towards the three of them. She noted Toby and Caleb's presence as well. The computer genius was holding an adorable little girl who looked just like Hanna in his arms. She could only presume the toddler was her nephew's best friend Chloe.
The guardian didn't know what to say when she came within an arm's length of her three former best friends, who meant so fucking much to her, and settled on a weak, "Hi."
Before she could even blink, Aria engulfed her in a hug, and the blonde literally melted into her arms.
"It's so good to see you, Ali," the tiny brunette murmured.
"This really wasn't how I wanted to be reunited with all of you," Alison quietly revealed as she hugged Aria tightly.
"Aww c'mon nothing like a psychopath to bring us together…" Spencer joked as she wiped her eyes and joined in their hug. The brainy brunette looked at Alison like she couldn't believe she was real as she tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Ali can imagine her expression mirrored a similar marveled look.
"Yeah, it's so us…" Hanna emotionally noted before she unapologetically budged her way in between Spencer and Aria and wrapped the guardian in a bone crushing embrace, "God, I missed you so much Alison."
She hugged Hanna back just as strongly and was about to tell the fashion designer how much she'd missed her as well when a small voice caught her attention.
"Alison? That's my middle name," Chloe excitedly observed as she shimmied out of Caleb's arms and ran towards her mother, "Momma, that's my middle name!"
Hanna released Alison from their hug offering her a soft smile and scooped her bursting with enthusiasm daughter into her arms.
Alison smiled as more happy tears filled her blue eyes. Did Hanna really name her daughter's middle name after me? Oh my God that's the sweetest thing…
Emily came up behind Alison and wrapped her strong arms around her girlfriend's middle obviously sensing that the blonde was overcome with a mixture of emotions and feeling slightly unsteady.
"I know it is sweetie! Do you remember why that's your middle name, Chloe?"
"Because your best friend Alison was the bravest person you ever knew. She taught you to never give up," Chloe beamed and Ali felt her heart warm.
The toddler suddenly became shy as she glanced at Ali and inquired, "Momma, is that your best friend Alison?"
Hanna smiled warmly at her daughter and then at the blonde guardian, "Yes, it is baby," before she encouraged, "Do you want to say hi?"
Chloe offered her a bright smile, "Hi Alison. You're really pretty. I can see why my Aunt Emmy loves you so much."
Everyone giggled at the little girl and Ali instantly fell in love with the Hanna mini me who quirked an eyebrow and bluntly asked a few seconds later, "Is it true you're a superhero?"
Before Alison could answer Pepe came bolting into the foyer with Bradley chasing after him.
The sheltie excitedly jumped into Emily's legs and the detective reached down to appease the adorable dog.
"I'm sorry, Ali. I tried to hold him back, but he really wanted to say hi to everyone," Bradley explained and the blonde just smiled at the firefighter who made eye contact with their newly arrived guests, waved, and flashed his signature charming smile, "Speaking of which: hi, I'm Bradley, Ali's brother. It's really great to finally meet all of you."
Her brother was wearing a ribbed white tank top that showed off his muscular physique and Ali laughed when Spencer, Hanna, and Aria's eyes raked over his chiseled body. Hell, even Caleb and Toby gave him an appreciative up and down glance.
"Is everyone in your family a superhero Alison?" Chloe seriously inquired after she looked at Bradley.
Alison smiled at the little girl before she truthfully declared, "You think he's impressive, just wait until you meet my sister."
"Speaking of Brittany, where is she?" The blonde turned and asked Bradley, observing the flicker of hope that flashed through Aria's hazel eyes.
The firefighter smirked back at her, "Where else but in the basement setting up the force field with her trusty side kick?"
"Aunt Brittany you have to promise me something," Mandela looked at her with his light hued blues eyes that were practically identical to her own as he pleaded.
Brittany wrapped her arms tighter around the little boy who meant so much to her silently encouraging him to continue.
"You have to promise me that you'll stay safe."
The guardian smiled softly at her godson as she sensitively explained, "Mandela, my priority is to keep you and everyone upstairs safe. I wouldn't be a very good guardian angel if I focused on myself."
Before Mandela could look crestfallen, she added, "But I promise to do everything I can to always make it back to you."
This seemed to appease her nephew as he curled up further in her arms. The two of them were sitting in the lounge chair in the surveillance room in her and Alison's basement or as Mandela called it "the secret agent hangout".
Brittany and her trusty side kick had successfully gotten the "force field" up and running a few minutes ago, which made an invincible bullet proof/fire proof/bomb proof barrier surround their house. Working for the CIA really had its benefits sometimes…
She ran her fingers soothingly up and down Mandela's back for a few content minutes. Brittany knew that shit was going to hit the fan as soon as Reggie found out where Charles was and she wanted to savor this down time for as long as she could.
"You have to promise me something else," Mandela lifted his head from her chest so he could look at her.
Brittany gave the toddler a curious look, "What's that angel?"
"You have to let yourself be happy," With that he crawled off her lap and walked towards the door. Wait, what?
The guardian turned to look after her nephew's retreating form and felt her heart damn near stop beating as her eyes settled on who was leaning against the door frame. Oh my God she's even more beautiful now.
"Aria…" Brittany breathed out as she stood up.
The art teacher smiled softly at her and Mandela threw a knowing look over his shoulder before he excitedly ran towards the stairs shouting for Chloe.
Aria laughed at Mandela's antics as she noted, "He's adorable."
Brittany felt nerves course through her body as Aria's hazel eyes shimmered as she stepped further into the room. The CIA agent could only nod in agreement-Aria had literally taken her breath away.
They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, both searching for something…maybe reciprocation for what they feel…what they've felt since they first locked eyes in that alleyway? There was this undeniable pull between them and Brittany still can't believe she managed to survive for a year and a half without Aria physically being in her life. God imagine being Alison living without your person for seven years…
Brittany knew Aria was her person-had known it since they first kissed. The realization scared the shit out of here then and terrifies her now, but she decided to be brave and lay it all out there. After all, if Emily and Alison could make their relationship work after everything why couldn't she and Aria?
The guardian reverently caressed the art teacher's cheek as she revealed, "There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a really long time and I didn't want to do it in a letter..." Okay, you can do this. Deep breath. "I love you, Aria."
Once Aria processed what she'd said an over joyed look spread across her face. God, I'm going to do whatever I can to always make her feel this happy.
"I love you too," The shorter woman declared and an indescribable feeling of warmth spread to the deepest crevices of the guardian's soul. Was it hope? Brittany always thought that her job would prevent her from ever being in a lasting romantic relationship, but maybe she just needed to find the right person.
When Aria leaned up and kissed her she swears fireworks exploded around them. She'd been blessed to always have people in her life who loved her unconditionally-her mom, Bradley, Alison, Eva, Mandela, and even Reggie for that matter-but this was something else. Something so incredibly special and maybe, just maybe, she could allow herself to be happy.
When they pulled apart slightly to catch their breath a few minutes later she knows she's smiling like a fool.
Aria wrapped her arms around her neck before she declared, "Everyone thought I was crazy to wait for you, but I'm so glad that I did."
Brittany effortlessly lifted the shorter woman off the ground marveling at how adorable their difference in height was, "I promise to make it up to you."
Their lips connected a second later and Brittany never wanted the moment to end. She was already planning where she was going to take Aria on their first official date and when she was going to visit her in Boston.
Maybe Emily was right to be big on happy endings after all.
So...what do we think? Ezra is Archer Dunhill?! Y'all already know how I cannot stand Ezra, so I turned him into a serial killer. Honestly, I thought the show would have been so much more compelling if they would have had the guts to actually let him be -A in season 4. But y'all know they cannot bear to upset Ezria shippers...
Lieutenant Tanner is working with Charles?! And Charles' psycho ass broke out of prison?! What is his endgame anyways?
Aria and Brittany-did anyone see that coming? I debated on whether not I should make their relationship filled with angst, but honestly we get enough of that in the actual show so I was like you know what let's fluff it up. Aria honestly deserves the world, so I gave her Brittany. And let's face it our favorite ass kicking CIA agent deserves someone like Aria...I've written Brittany being romantically involved with Alison and Hanna (my Burning Embers two shot), Charlotte (my Sinus Infection multi chapter), and now Aria. I think I love her the most with Charlotte, but I find her and Aria adorable as well.
How about Alison being reunited with the girls?
I know there wasn't a ton of direct Emison in this chapter, but do NOT worry next chapter will be filled with them!
As always thank you for reading and please let me know what you think!