As the hours passed, Emily's nerves grew while she waited for a call or a text from Alison. She was well aware of Alison's meticulous time management, and Emily was beginning to think the lack of specified time for their meeting, was deliberate, a tactic to keep her on edge all day. She wouldn't put it past the blonde, mental warfare seemed to be her specialty. If it was a strategy, it was working, before she knew it Emily had spent hours on the couch replaying her conversation with Alison, trying to figure out how the call had gone from telling her boss she needed more time to weigh her options to Alison coming to see her. Was she coming to talk her into staying at GLOW? No, from the sound of it, she was coming to tell Emily how ungrateful she was for considering leaving.

The rational part of Emily's brain told her Alison had a tightly packed day and no assistant to help manage it. The EIC would show up when and if she decided and overthinking things wasn't going to change that. Emily busied herself with submitting the online application for the swim instructor position, there was not one but two lengthy employee assessment quizzes that kept her mind occupied for a while. She put aside a copy of her resume and references to be dropped off at the YMCA.

When Toby texted that he stopped by the Y for a workout and was on his way home, Emily knew it wasn't his usual gym day and he'd probably gone to check in with Kenny about her interview. She was willing to let it slide because he was bringing Chinese takeout and she was starving. Knowing Toby would want to shower as soon as he got home, Emily decided to take hers before he returned.

Typically the scalding hot water would be a nice break from her thoughts, but Emily found herself thinking about Aria's offer to talk and Hanna's bustier bribe. Unexpectedly Emily began thinking of how she'd wear it, she could dress it up with a pair of black tailored pants and black heels, or it could be a fun casual look if she paired it with light colored jeans and a long cardigan, the options were really endless. Emily tilted her head back to rinse the shampoo from her hair, depending on how her conversation with Alison went, it wouldn't matter.

It was well after 8 when Emily emerged from the shower, and the likelihood of Alison following through on coming to see her was getting slimmer, this didn't bother Emily, it's not like she knew what she was going to say if Alison did show up. Not wanting to think much about what she put on, her mind already preoccupied with other thoughts, she grabbed a black cropped tank and matching biker shorts. Toby came through the door as soon as she was finished dressing, perfect timing.

"Remind me to order ahead next time, the line was insane." Toby's duffle hit the floor near the door with a heavy thud and he made his way to the kitchen counter with the takeout bags.

Emily came over from the living room to offer her help, "Not that I'm complaining but this seems like a lot," she pulled out container after container from one of the bags, lining them up along the counter. They didn't usually eat this much between the two of them.

Toby shrugged, "I caught up with Kenny while I was working out, he said he offered you the job. I figured we could celebrate."

So Toby did go to the Y to snoop, Emily shook her head, scoffing lightly, "I knew it, I knew that's why you went there tonight."

Toby collected the empty bags and was throwing them away when Emily saw him get sidetracked, "You threw away Maya's letter?"

At first, Emily found it strange that Toby not only noticed the letter in the trash but also recognized it as Maya's, then she reminded herself that he was a cop. "Yes, Officer Cavanaugh," she teased, trying to keep things light. "I thought it was time."

He tried to hide it but Toby looked relieved, almost happy, to see the letter in the trash. Emily wasn't sure how she felt about that but she tried to see it from his perspective. On more than one occasion Toby had consoled her as she cried so hard her whole body shook while she read Maya's words.

"Thank you," Emily said, acknowledging everything Toby was constantly doing for her.

Toby answered as he pulled down some plates from the cabinet, "For what?"

"For dinner, for the ride this morning, putting in a good word for me with Kenny, letting me stay on your couch, staying up with me all those nights I couldn't get to sleep, everything," It would really be too much to list.

"I'll always be here for you, Em." Toby smiled, "You mind making our plates while I grab a quick shower?"

"Yeah, sure," she answered entranced with the smell emanating from all the containers.

The food was still hot when Toby got out of the shower, and the two of them ate in front of the TV watching some off beat detective show Toby liked while catching up. Emily had stopped looking at the time, stopped thinking about Alison, and Maya, and GLOW, and the YMCA, and everything else for the first time all day. They were in the middle of their third episode when Emily's work phone buzzed, the screen illuminating the dim living room.

I'm outside. - A

She glanced at the corner of the screen, it was 11:29 pm. The whole day had almost gone by since she spoke to Alison that morning. All of her earlier thoughts began to race again, she was not in the mood to be berated by Alison for seeking employment elsewhere, especially not when Alison's constant chastising was the whole reason she was considering the idea.

"Everything ok?" Toby asked from beside her.

"Uh, yeah. I just have to run out really quickly." Emily grabbed her sneakers from their spot near the couch and started pulling them on.

Toby shot up, "I'll come with you."

Emily met his gaze, knowing she probably looked startled, she hadn't expected him to offer to come with her, "No, no. It's fine. I'll be right back."

"It's almost midnight, Em. I'm not going to let you roam the streets alone," Toby laughed.

"Seriously, Toby. I'll be right back, I'm just going to talk to someone." Emily had on both her shoes now and was moving toward the door.

"Who?"

Emily sighed she should have known being evasive wouldn't work with Toby. even when he wasn't purposefully trying to be nosy, being investigative was in his nature. "Alison" she answered.

"Your boss?" Toby's brows furrowed and his lips pressed together in a look of confusion. "You're going outside to talk to your boss at midnight?"

Alison called her phone then, and Emily ignored it, sending a quick text that she'd be out in a second.

"Almost midnight," Emily corrected, pulling the door open, "and she doesn't like to be kept waiting so I have to go."

She couldn't hear Toby's reply as she closed the door and bounded down the stairs of the apartment building not wanting to wait for the elevator. Toby was like a brother and he would have words for her later but they would have to wait. She spotted the black Audi idling at the corner and picked up her pace.

Emily braced herself, recalling the image of Alison's wicked smile in the office the week before, after she made that cutting remark about Maya. She focused on the way Alison stared into her like she was useless, her tone whenever she was trying to get under her skin. The thoughts surged through her as she pulled the door open, she wouldn't fold this time.

"I didn't think you were coming," Emily slid into the backseat.

"One of the key principles in negotiation," Alison remarked, her attention lifting from her phone, "is to make the other side uncomf-." She paused, and Emily felt blue eyes working their way up her body, "uncomfortable," Alison concluded, forcing her eyes up to Emily's face.

Emily wanted to laugh but she held it in, only allowing the corners of her mouth to turn up slightly. She had been right about Alison making her wait around, and though it was an inconsiderate, and childish move on Alison's part, it felt good to be right. Alison narrowed her eyes at Emily's expression, it was clear she was wondering why Emily wasn't thrown or upset.

Instead, Emily was intrigued, "Is that what we're doing, negotiating?"

"Yes, you have something I want," Alison replied as if it were obvious but Emily was genuinely lost.

"But I don't want anything from you," She responded quickly and in a biting tone that made Alison's jaw clench for a fraction of a second. Emily smiled inwardly at the reaction.

"We'll see about that," Alison relaxed into the leather seat. "The interview you had, what job is it for?"

"Swim Instructor at the YMCA," Emily answered, still not quite sure where Alison was going with any of this.

Alison raised her brow slightly, "A swim instructor? That seems…random."

The comment reminded Emily how little Alison knew about her, how little they knew about each other, "Not really, I've been swimming competitively since I was 7, I've been on a sort of break for a few years but it would be an easy gig."

"And is that what you want...easy?"

Emily sensed the weight in Alison's question, an unspoken subtext lingering between them. She chose her words carefully as Alison's eyes studied her, they looked exactly like they did on the balcony before things had taken a turn, deep and inviting.

"I want to be appreciated," Emily spoke with a firmness that she hoped made it clear she needed Alison to really hear her and take her seriously.

No matter how much Emily was starting to enjoy her new position at GLOW, she couldn't handle feeling like she was constantly walking on eggshells around Alison. The blonde wasn't easy, that much was certain, but Emily wouldn't subject herself to Alison's constant reproach. Alison responded with a slow nod, and their eyes remained locked in a silent exchange of understanding.

"So you do want something from me," Alison broke their gaze first reaching beside her legs and pulling out a black shopping bag, "Maybe this will be a good start."

Emily looked between the bag and Alison tentatively before pulling it close to her and peeking inside to see two black Dolce & Gabbana boxes. Emily looked up at her, eyes narrowed with suspicion, but Alison only motioned for her to open them. Emily took her time sliding the first box into her lap and lifting the lid to find neatly folded tissue paper that she delicately unwrapped to reveal a black lace bustier top.

"Did Hanna give you this?" Emily asked, confused.

"No," Alison let out a scoffing laugh, "Hanna is holding the closet bustier hostage until you come back to work. Open the other one."

Emily pulled the second box into her lap and undid the packaging, being just as careful as she was the first time. "Oh, wow," the words fell from her lips quietly as she pulled back tissue paper to see the same lace bustier but in white, it was beautiful, maybe even nicer than the black, she wasn't sure, and she'd begun tracing the lace with her fingertips.

"Those are from me. Whether or not you come back to GLOW, they're yours." Alison spoke softly. Emily felt Alison's eyes sweeping over her again but it wasn't like before, it was slower this time, deliberate, not like she'd been taken by surprise with the view but more so that she wanted to take it in. Most of the time Alison's gaze made her feel inadequate, but this wasn't like that at all. Emily thought she saw the blonde start to speak but nothing came of it.

"Thank you," Emily tried to ignore the butterflies she was beginning to feel, after all, she and Alison were in the middle of negotiations, "But, uh, this…this isn't what I meant when I said I wanted to be appreciated." Emily tried to recall the same thoughts of Alison she had when she'd first gotten into the car as she placed the bustier back into its box, but all she could think about now was the Garden Party, Alison's body against hers, her hand against the skin of her back, her nails. Emily had to stop herself from physically shaking her head to get rid of the images.

"Give us some privacy," Alison commanded toward the front of the car. Immediately and without a word the driver complied exiting the vehicle. As soon as the door closed behind him she spoke again, "I know it's not what you meant, Emily." Alison cleared her throat as if preparing herself, "I know I'm not easy to work with, and I'm not going to apologize for it. But if you decide to come back to GLOW I'll do my best to make sure you feel appreciated for the work you do."

Emily couldn't believe her ears which were growing hot at the dulcet tone Alison was using on her. It sounded genuine, and it was exactly what Emily wanted to hear but surely it was a trick.

Alison motioned to the black shopping bag between them containing the bustiers, "Consider this a gesture of goodwill."

Emily evaded Alison's attempts at eye contact, knowing it would deplete any strength she had left. This caused an exasperated look to cross the blonde's face that Emily noted as she turned her head away from the EIC.

"Hanna's going to be pretty upset you took away her only leverage." Emily tried to joke, it was her best attempt to diffuse the intensifying fluttering in her stomach, and the growing tension in the car.

Alison didn't laugh, she ignored Emily's attempt at a joke completely, "Avoiding eye contact during a negotiation isn't a good tactic, it could be interpreted as shady," the usual edge was back in her voice. As Emily persisted in avoiding her gaze, Alison's voice lost the little patience it had, "Look at me," Alison reached out, grasping her chin and forcing Emily to look at her. "That's better," Alison said, satisfied when dark brown eyes finally met her icy blues.

The touch wasn't gentle but Emily wouldn't have described it as rough either, it bordered somewhere in between. There was no instinct to bat Alison's hand away, nor was she interested in telling her to let go or making a hasty exit from the car. There was a flicker of something in Alison's eyes before impatience surged, it was barely noticeable but Emily was getting better at reading at her. She could only guess what it was, vulnerability, which would mean Alison was being truthful about making an effort to make Emily feel appreciated at GLOW.

"I think it's time we talked about what I want," Alison used her thumb to trace Emily's jaw.

Emily tried to use the same firmness in her voice she had earlier, "And that is?"

"You."

The declaration made Emily weak and she relaxed into Alison's touch, eyes starting to close. She reached a hand up to cover the blonde's, encouraging her.

"At your desk." Alison continued slowly, her hand being guided by Emily down the collum of her neck. "Tomorrow, 8 am, ready to work."

At that Emily's eyes flew open, expecting to see Alison smirking or grinning menacingly at her but instead, she was met with Alison staring longingly at her lips. It was confusing and frustrating and before Emily could say anything about it there were sounds of commotion outside the car. It didn't seem to phase Alison who hadn't pulled away or diverted her eyes from Emily's lips.

"So can we come to an agreement?"

A hard tapping began on the car window, "Emily?" Toby's voice pierced through. "Emily, are you in there?"

Emily ignored him, she would deal with Toby later, right now she had tunnel vision. This wasn't going to end like the balcony, Alison wasn't going to pull away and leave Emily confused about what had just happened. No, not again.

"There's one more thing I want," she said before leaning forward and pressing her lips to Alison's. The Editor's lips were soft and warm and normally Emily would have let her tongue stroke across her bottom lip, silently asking for permission to enter, but instead, Emily sucked Alison's bottom lip into her mouth and bit down hard. Alison hissed but opened her mouth, tangling her hand into Emily's hair. She was only able to explore Alison's mouth for a few seconds before her head was tugged back roughly, Emily groaned and tried to reestablish the kiss but Alison tightened the grip on her hair.

"This is a bad idea," Alison's voice was dangerously low, and her breath fanned across Emily's neck making her hum in response.

Alison loosened her grip just a fraction and that was all Emily needed. She seized the opportunity, moving the shopping bag out of the way and pulling herself across the rear console between them. Emily straddled Alison as best she could in the backseat, placing a hand on either side of her neck.

"I know," Emily smiled, pleased with how the tables had turned. "Which is why I'm getting it out of my system now," she leaned down taking Alison's lips in a gentle kiss.

There was no rebuttal from Alison and they explored each other's mouths slowly and gradually. Toby had given up tapping on the window and Emily was able to get lost in the moment. Alison was intoxicating, the taste of her mouth, the smell of her hair and perfume, all of it filled Emily's senses. They were able to keep the slow pace until Emily greedily sucked Alison's tongue into her mouth, stroking it with her own, she released it, and feeling Alison squirm underneath her she smiled into their kiss and did it again. This time Alison groaned trying to pull her closer but to no avail, they were as close as they could get in their current position. Alison's tongue invaded her mouth after that in a bruising and demanding kiss while her hands slipped under Emily's tank and rubbed her back. Not wanting to yield control just yet, Emily pulled back deciding to attack Alison's neck with open mouth kisses and light bites. She should have expected it, the feeling of nails raking down her back, harder than last time and causing her to arch her back and moan loudly.

Too loudly, because Toby's voice rang out immediately, slicing through the tension. "Emily! Get out here, right now." The only other person who had ever called her name that way was her father. She knew It was time to wrap things up before Officer Cavanaugh popped a blood vessel.

"You don't play fair," Emily pulled away from Alison's neck, looking into her eyes. They were the darkest she'd seen them, filled with lust and something else Emily couldn't place.

"This is going to leave a mark," Alison ran her palm across where she'd scratched, her tone almost apologetic but her eyes said otherwise.

They stared at each other, both wanting more, needing more but it wasn't going to happen, that's not what this was about. Emily lifted herself from Alison's lap, moving back to her seat,

"Thank you for accepting my terms," She put on her best professional voice.

Alison looked confused initially but slipped back into her usual icy demeanor quickly, "Thank you for not being entirely unreasonable."

Suppressing a laugh, Emily took hold of the shopping bag and opened the car door, "I'll see you tomorrow."

… …

Once they were within the confines of the apartment, Emily finally responded to Toby's badgering, "I appreciate you caring, Toby, but I'm not a child. You didn't need to come looking for me."

"It's a good thing I did. Someone has to tell you that hooking up with your boss is only going to lead to a world of shit. What are you thinking?" Toby's parental tone grated on her nerves.

"We didn't hook up," Emily retorted, she didn't owe Toby any explanation of what did or didn't happen in Alison's car. She moved to the refrigerator for a bottled water.

"Really?" Toby followed her. "What's this?" He reached out, poking at the exposed scratch on her back.

"None of your business," Emily tugged the small tank down as far as it would go. "Which is what I've been telling you."

"I thought you were finally getting your head on straight, but no. You're just trading one unhealthy relationship for another," Toby's words landed with a blow.

Emily's shoulders fell, she was hurt by the words. Sure, she could acknowledge she didn't always make the best decisions, but they were her decisions to make, and she didn't need Toby passing judgment. Toby's face softened realizing his comment had stung.

He started to say something, but Emily raised a hand to stop him, "Don't." She had no interest in a half-hearted apology, especially when he didn't mean it. "Do you mind giving me a ride to the office when you leave for work?"

"You're going back there? To what, be with The Ice Princess?" Toby was looking at her like she had sprouted two additional heads, and she regretted telling him about the tabloid's name for her boss.

"No, Toby, I'm going back to do my job." Emily snapped, her irritation palpable.

… …

While kicking off her heels in the entryway, Alison noticed the glow of the TV in the living room. Rolling her eyes, she walked over to turn it off. She was expecting to see that CeCe had used her emergency key again and was now sprawled across her couch but to her surprise it was Spencer. She was sleeping, a throw blanket half draped across her legs. Alison carefully maneuvered the tangled blanket and started to spread it over her sister, but Spencer began to stir.

"How did it go?" Spencer mumbled, her voice sleepy.

Alison finished adjusting the blanket, trying to decide how much of her late night meeting with Emily she wanted to share, "She's not quitting, She'll be back at GLOW tomorrow."

"How did you do it? Did you have to give her a raise?" Spencer cracked her eyes open.

"A raise was never on the table, and she didn't ask."

"Then what did she ask for?"

There was no point in telling Spencer that she and Emily made out like a pair of horny teenagers in the backseat of her car. She already knew what Spencer would say and it was too late at night for a lecture. "For her work to be appreciated," Alison answered, withholding Emily's other request.

"That's it?" Spencer's tone was suspicious, but she closed her eyes and sighed. "She's a terrible negotiator, I would have asked for car service at the very least."

Alison laughed lightly, "Does the lawyer part of your brain ever shut off?"

"Does the Editor in Chief part of yours ever shut off?" Spencer quipped back.

"Fair." She nodded even though her sister couldn't see it. "Go back to sleep. We can ride together to the office tomorrow."

Spencer's response was a mumbled utterance, and Alison left her to rest. She made her way up to her bedroom, thinking about Spencer's question. The Editor in Chief part of her brain never shut off, it didn't matter what she was doing, sometimes it took a backseat but it was always there. Tonight however it had turned off completely when Emily climbed over the rear console into her lap. She could only focus on one thing, the brunette made sure of it.

... ...

Author's Note:

I'm not sure who came out of these negotiations on top, but everyone got what they wanted, right? At least for now. Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in the story, and a big thanks to those of you who leave reviews as you read the chapters, I love hearing your thoughts. Hope you enjoyed the update.