Hello, guys!

Hope you like this new chapter. I didn't think I'd have smut this early in the story, but here we are. It just made sense with where the characters were going and how Emily and Alison feel about their journey right now. Pay attention to the one who's actually taking the lead because the scene is very sweet with a little hint of bitter (to one of them).

Also, to answer your questions, Emily's issue is more about the drugs Dunhill gave her than anything related to doping accusations. It will be explained, but it will hit Emily like a truck nonetheless. When will my girl catch a break?

With love,

White Tigresss.


RULE XI: Be vulnerable

"What do you mean by that?!" Alison raged, her voice shaking. "I thought we already knew Dunhill was injecting drugs into Emily's shoulder! I can testify to that!"

"It's not just about the drugs being illegal, Ali," Wren explained, his tone somber. "Emily's body can't handle the strain anymore."

"Dunhill was using an experimental drug," Mona added. "It was supposed to boost muscle regeneration, but it was unstable. It could either help or destroy muscle fibers."

"What do you mean?" Alison demanded, her heart pounding.

"The drug wasn't stable yet," Wren continued. "In Emily's case, it damaged her shoulder muscles. Competing again would be too dangerous."

"Her blood tests show significant amounts of the drug still in her system," Lorenzo mentioned. "It's undetectable by WADA, but thanks to Mona, we knew what to look for."

Alison stumbled back, gripping a desk for support. Dread filled her veins. She'd always feared the worst about Dunhill's treatments, but she never imagined it would end Emily's career.

Emily would be devastated. Alison's heart shattered at the thought. Desperation clawed at her, and she did the only thing she could think of.

"Wren, please!" She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Tell me there's a way to save Emily's career! I'll do anything!"

"Ali, I..." Wren hesitated, pained by her plea.

"Please, I'll give all my money if it means she can still swim!" Alison sobbed. "This will destroy her, please!"

"Ali, I'm afraid there's nothing we can do," Wren said gently, kneeling beside her. "No amount of money can change this."

Alison cried harder, feeling utterly useless for the first time in her life. What good was her wealth if she couldn't save the dream of the woman she loved?

"I need to be the one to tell her," Alison murmured, her voice breaking. She wanted to be there for Emily to soften the blow.

"You can't, Ali," Lorenzo said firmly. "She can't know about your identity. She'll need you for comfort, not as an agent but as someone who loves her."

"Why is this happening to her?!" Alison cried out. "She's the sweetest person I know! Why not me instead?"

"No, Ali, don't go there," Spencer said, sitting beside her and wrapping her in a comforting hug. "Emily needs you to be strong for her."

"Spencer, I love her!" Alison admitted out loud for the first time, her voice trembling. "I love her and this will break her!"

"I know," Spencer murmured, her voice filled with empathy. "That's why you need to be strong for her. Promise me, Ali."

Alison nodded weakly, determination and heartbreak warring within her. "I promise."


Emily rushed into the National Swim Team's training facility, heart pounding with anticipation. She had received a text message from her coach earlier, hinting at urgent news related to the CIA investigation.

At that point, she wouldn't be surprised to find out Dunhill had been giving her illegal drugs. She'd be upset and concerned, but not surprised. All Emily wanted was for the truth to come to light and to turn over this page.

As she entered the meeting room, Emily saw Yvonne and her coach, along with a man in a navy suit whom she recognized from the CIA press conference.

"Ms. Fields, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," the agent greeted her. "I am Agent Lorenzo Calderón, responsible for the Dunhill investigation."

"Nice to meet you, Agent Calderón," Emily replied, her nerves on edge.

"I'm here to discuss the results of your blood sample," Lorenzo began.

"Dunhill was giving me illegal drugs, wasn't he?" Emily blurted out, her mind racing. "I can prove my innocence."

The first person who crossed her mind was Alison. After all, the blonde had seen Dunhill inject drugs into her once or twice. However, Emily didn't want to drag Alison into this mess more than she already had. The brunette felt like she should face this problem on her own.

(Unbeknownst to her, Alison was already involved knee-deep in that case.)

Lorenzo's expression softened. "This isn't about accusing you of doping. We know you're innocent. But I fear you may never swim competitively again."

"What?" Emily's heart sank. "But I'm on my way to recovery."

"Dunhill's drugs damaged your muscles further," Lorenzo explained. "There's still a significant amount in your system, posing a risk if you continue swimming."

Emily felt dizzy. She was shaking as she looked at her coach and asked:

"There must be a solution, right?"

"I'm sorry, Em," her coach interjected. "There's no way to reverse this."

Emily's breath caught. She ran a trembling hand through her hair, trying to process the devastating news. Her heart was racing in a way it never did, not even when she won her Olympic medal in Rio.

"She's about to faint!" someone exclaimed as Emily's vision blurred.

The room spun as Emily collapsed to the ground, darkness engulfing her senses.


A few moments later, Emily regained her senses. She was lying on the ground, her legs slightly elevated. She noticed Lorenzo had taken off his suit jacket to use it as a pillow for her head.

"Emily, are you okay?" he asked gently.

She nodded weakly. "I think you should go home," Yvonne suggested. "Did you come here by yourself?"

"Yes," Emily managed to whisper faintly.

"Is there anyone we can call to pick you up?"

Paige used to be listed as Emily's emergency contact, but now it would be just awkward. Plus, no one knew where Paige was anyway.

"Ali…" Emily said softly.

"Who's that?" Yvonne asked, turning to Emily's coach.

"Alison DiLaurentis," the coach replied.

"I can call her," Lorenzo offered. "She happens to be my sister-in-law."

Emily registered that information with some confusion. Alison had never mentioned that her brother-in-law worked in the CIA and was responsible for the ongoing investigation that had doomed her career. Despite the confusion, she needed the comfort and security that only Alison could provide.

Lorenzo stepped away to call Alison, while Yvonne approached Emily with a glass of water. "Come on, you look pale."

Emily drank the water and tried to lift her upper body, but her arms were shaking. She didn't know if it was from the cold or the anxiety, but Yvonne noticed and helped her sit up, wrapping Lorenzo's suit jacket around her shoulders.

"You're shaking," Yvonne noted softly.

Lorenzo returned, phone in hand. "Ali's on her way. She'll be here in twenty minutes," he said. Then, addressing Emily directly, he added, "You can keep the suit for now. I promise you, Emily, we're going to catch whoever made these drugs and make sure you get justice."

Emily nodded, though she wasn't sure if justice mattered anymore. Her dream had already been ripped away from her. As Lorenzo walked away, Emily felt a tear slide down her cheek. The weight of the news was settling in, but knowing Alison was coming provided a small, yet significant, comfort.


Alison rushed into the training facility, her heart pounding with worry. She had dropped everything the moment Lorenzo called her, knowing Emily needed her now more than ever. She had broken every speed limit in the area to be with Emily. As she entered the room, her eyes immediately found the brunette, sitting pale and trembling on the couch.

"Em, are you okay?" Alison asked, kneeling beside her and cupping her face gently.

Emily shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears. Instead of speaking, she just jumped into Ali's arms, almost tackling her to the ground. Again, Ali's strength surprised her as the blonde managed to keep them both steady.

Yvonne, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward. "She's had a shock, but she'll be okay. She just needs to rest."

Alison whispered against Emily's hair, "I'm here, Em. I'm right here."

For a few moments, they stayed like that, Emily drawing strength from Alison's embrace. Slowly, she pulled back and looked into Alison's eyes.

"I... I can't swim anymore, Ali," Emily choked out, her voice breaking.

Alison's eyes filled with tears, but she held Emily's gaze firmly. "I know. I'm so sorry, Em. But we're going to get through this together."

Emily's heart swelled with the support she got from Alison. But somewhere in the corner of her mind, she wondered why Alison didn't look so surprised when she was told the news. Maybe Lorenzo had told her before, but it did leave Emily curious.

Yvonne nodded supportively. "If there's anything we can do, please let us know."

Alison helped Emily to her feet, keeping a steadying arm around her shoulders. "Thanks. Right now, I need to get Emily home."

As they walked out, Alison kept her arm securely around Emily's waist, providing physical and emotional support. The drive home was quiet, filled with unspoken words and shared glances. Emily stared out the window, lost in her thoughts, while Alison kept stealing worried glances at her. Eventually, Emily rested her head on Ali's shoulder as the blonde kept driving.

Once inside, Alison led Emily to the couch. She settled down first, then gently pulled Emily into her lap, wrapping a soft blanket around them both. Emily curled up against Alison, burying her face in the crook of her neck.

"Em, I know this feels like the end of the world right now," Alison said softly, stroking Emily's back. "But you're not alone in this. We're going to find a way forward, okay? One step at a time."

Emily nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I'm scared, Ali. I don't know what to do. Swimming has been my whole life. I wasn't ready for this."

As every athlete, Emily knew her career would eventually come to an end. She had saved enough money to live comfortably, but that was when she was planning a transition from competing to another area related to swimming. With her sudden forced retirement, she was going to have to scramble for options in the mid and long term.

Alison pulled Emily into another tight embrace. "We'll figure it out together. I promise. We'll keep our sponsor deal with you. Focus D doesn't drop anyone like that."

The money coming from the Focus D's sponsor would help certainly, at least until Emily figured out what she wanted to do and what she could do for a living. She knew some athletes would go on to become social media influencers, but that has never been her. She was pretty much low key and would rather keep her life private.

Emily hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I feel so lost, Ali. Swimming was everything to me. It was my future, my identity. Now, I don't know who I am without it."

Alison's heart broke at the vulnerability in Emily's voice. She leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Emily's forehead. "You're still Emily Fields. You're still the strong, incredible woman I know. This is just a chapter, not the whole story."

Emily looked up at Alison, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "What if I never find something else that makes me as happy as swimming did?"

"You will," Alison assured her. "And I'll be right here with you, helping you find it."

Emily let out a shaky breath, the corners of her mouth lifting in a small, grateful smile. "I'm so lucky to have you, Ali."

She pressed forward, surprising Alison with a kiss and making her lie on the couch. Through her lips and hands, Alison tried to show Emily how much she was loved and yearned and cared for. The love confession had been on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't bring herself to say it, not when Emily was so vulnerable.

But Emily got lost in the need to feel safe and wanted. She yearned for more, so she slipped a hand under Ali's shirt. The blonde immediately stopped their kissing and pushed her away.

"Alison, please," Emily pleaded with her soft brown eyes.

"Not right now, Em," Ali stood her ground, pulling the brunette back to her chest. "It's not gonna fix this. I want our first time making love to be special."

Emily nodded in understanding and cried against Ali's chest, "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, sweetie," Alison pressed another kiss to the top of her head. "Let me take care of you, okay?"

Emily nodded and let Ali lull her back to sleep.


Hours passed as Emily dozed in and out of sleep, nestled against Alison's chest. Alison gently ran her fingers through Emily's hair, whispering soothing words whenever Emily stirred. Eventually, Emily shifted slightly, her eyes fluttering open. She looked up at Alison, a mixture of gratitude and sadness in her gaze.

"How long was I out?" she asked, her voice groggy.

"A few hours," Alison replied, smiling softly. "You needed the rest."

Emily nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Thank you for being here, Ali. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Alison kissed her forehead gently. "I know you probably don't want to talk about it, but you'll have to break the news to the press.

"I don't even wanna think about it," Emily grumbled.

"I know. But you don't want that leech from Rosewood Hawks to break it and spin the story the way they wanted," Alison argued. "The last thing you need right now is to lose control of your own narrative."

Emily hummed in thought. While she didn't have the heart to think about it, she knew Alison was right. It would be a disaster if news of her retirement leaked before she spoke up first. Begrudgingly, Emily knew it was a step she had to take.

"Right," she snorted. "I don't want to make it more traumatic than it already is."

"I know. I can call CeCe and see how she can help us. She's really good at dealing with the press," Ali suggested.

"Okay," Emily reluctantly agreed. She didn't like the idea of one more person knowing about her forced retirement, but Alison had a point. Still, there was one more thing she had to check with the blonde first.

"Why didn't you tell me that your brother-in-law works for the CIA?" Emily asked.

Much to her surprise, Alison looked slightly baffled, like she didn't know how to answer and like she didn't expect Emily to confront her about it.

"I had no idea Lorenzo was taking on your case, Em. He doesn't really talk much about work," Alison lied and felt extremely guilty about it. That connection was just one more proof that her two worlds were blending in and that she was losing control over them.

Alison looked down, her fingers gently brushing through Emily's hair as she tried to maintain her composure. Inside, she was conflicted. She hated lying to Emily, especially now when she needed support the most.

Emily sighed, sensing the unease in Alison's response but choosing not to press further. "Okay, Ali. I trust you."

Alison's heart ached at those words, knowing the truth she was hiding. She reached for the phone and called CeCe instead.


Charlotte arrived at Ali's apartment about an hour after the younger blonde had called her. By then, Emily looked a little more composed, sitting on the couch wrapped in her covers with a mug of hot tea in her hands.

"Emily, I'm so sorry," Charlotte said as soon as she arrived, her voice filled with genuine concern. "Ali told me what happened."

"Thank you," Emily replied, still feeling slightly unsure about announcing her retirement publicly when it was still so fresh.

Seeing that Emily was still quiet, Alison decided to bring up the subject herself. "CeCe, I told Emily that it would be best if she announced her retirement instead of it getting leaked and twisted by that looney from Rosewood Hawks."

"It's going to be hard, but it will be for the best," Charlotte agreed. "Emily, the last thing you want is for your retirement to take a doping spin."

"The CIA has proof that I'm innocent," Emily interjected, her voice tinged with frustration.

"I'm not talking about the CIA here, I'm talking about your reputation," Charlotte countered. "People will talk and speculate."

"I don't care at this point," Emily shrugged nonchalantly, though a hint of worry flickered in her eyes.

Alison placed a firm hand on her shoulder and said, "Em, you don't need to tarnish your career with doping rumors. You're an idol. Let it stay that way."

Emily took a deep breath, understanding Ali's reasoning. Now that she doesn't have a career anymore, she would have to fight for her legacy in the public eye. "Okay, and what do you suggest then?"

"Give an interview to a journalist you know and trust," Charlotte advised. "That way, they'll be more sympathetic to the end of your career and will write a story that resonates with that."

"Do you know any names for that, Em?" Alison asked gently.

"Aria Montgomery," Emily answered without hesitation. "She's the only one I trust for this."

"So, it's time to call her and let her know," Charlotte said. "Even better, bring her here!"

Emily took out her phone and saw that there were several missed calls from both Aria and Hanna. Amidst her grief, she had forgotten to call her friends and let them know she was okay and safe at Ali's. Taking a deep breath, she dialed Aria's number. Her friend picked up on the second ring.

"Em, where have you been?!" Hanna yelled through Aria's phone. "We've been looking everywhere for you!"

"I'm at Ali's house, Hanna," she replied, hoping to quench Hanna's anxious heart. "Is Aria there with you?"

"Hi, Em!" Aria replied instead.

"Can you come here, please? There's something I need to tell you. As a friend and journalist."

"Sure, Em," Aria agreed, concern lacing her voice. "Is everything okay?"

"It will be okay," Emily promised, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

"If Ali is hurting you, I swear to God—!" Hanna threatened in the background.

"Ali's been helping me a lot. This is not about her, Han," Emily corrected as she texted Aria the address.

"I got it, Em," Aria confirmed she had received the address. "We're on our way."

Emily hung up the phone and looked at Alison and Charlotte, feeling a mixture of anxiety and relief. "She's coming. Hanna's coming with her as well. I just hope I can get through this."

Alison squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You will, Em. We're all here for you."

Emily nodded, feeling a small measure of comfort from their unwavering support. As they waited for Aria and Hanna to arrive, Emily leaned into Alison's embrace.


As they waited for Aria and Hanna to arrive, Emily remained nestled against Alison, drawing comfort from her presence. Charlotte sat across from them, giving the brunette a reassuring smile whenever their eyes met.

A knock at the door broke the silence, and Alison gently shifted Emily off her lap. "I'll get it," she said, standing up and heading to the door.

When she opened it, Aria and Hanna rushed in, their faces filled with concern. "Emily!" Hanna exclaimed, immediately crossing the room to wrap her arms around her friend. "We were so worried about you."

Emily hugged her back, feeling a rush of gratitude for her friends' unwavering support. "I'm okay, Han. I'm sorry I didn't call earlier."

Aria stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Emily's shoulder. "It's okay, Em. We're just glad you're safe."

Alison closed the door and returned to the couch, sitting beside Emily. She kept her arms close to her body, uncertain whether to hug Emily again. Their relationship status was unclear, and Alison knew Aria wasn't thrilled about her seeing Emily. She didn't want to be a distraction when Emily had more pressing matters to tend to.

"Emily needs to make an announcement," Alison started. "We thought it would be best if she did it through someone she trusts. "

Aria nodded, "Of course. I'll do whatever I can to help."

Emily took a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. "Thank you, Aria. I need to announce my retirement from swimming."

Hanna's eyes widened in shock. "Retirement? Em, what happened?"

Emily glanced at Alison, who gave her a reassuring nod. "Dunhill was giving me experimental drugs that ended up damaging my muscles. The doctors say it's too dangerous for me to continue swimming."

Hanna's expression turned from shock to anger. "I'm gonna kill that bastard! I can't believe he did this to you."

"He's already dead," Charlotte quipped.

Emily managed a small smile, ignoring Hanna's outburst. "I know, Han. But right now, I need to focus on moving forward."

"Em, I would love to sit with you and write this story, but I feel like this would be more compelling as a video interview," Aria suggested. "That way, you'll be able to connect with your fans and send a more relatable message."

Emily considered the idea. She didn't like video interviews because she was shy and introverted, but it wasn't like she could avoid them. Plus, this one would be with Aria, and she trusted her friend. If that was the most compelling way to tell her story, then Emily would accept her advice.

"Agreed," Alison said, as if reading her mind. "Video sends a more powerful message anyway."

"Then let's do it," Emily nodded, convinced that Aria's idea would be the best way to tell her story.

"We can record it tomorrow at the Rosewood Observer's studio. I'll text you the address. I'll have to let my editor know about this beforehand, but I promise you that nothing will be published before you're ready," Aria instructed.

"Thanks, Ar!" Emily gave her friend a genuine hug.

"See you tomorrow then?"

"See you!"

Hanna also came forth and hugged Emily, "I guess you'll be sleeping here," and winked.

Emily looked at Alison and smiled, "I think I will."

Hanna rolled her eyes and laughed, "Just don't forget to hang by the apartment some other day."

"I will," Emily promised, feeling stronger now that she had a plan to make her retirement announcement less disastrous than she had pictured in her mind.


The following morning, Emily woke up feeling a mix of apprehension and determination. Alison was still asleep beside her, one arm draped protectively over her waist. For a moment, Emily forgot about the devastating news from the previous day, losing herself in Ali's peaceful features.

Careful not to wake her, Emily slipped out of bed and headed to Ali's closet to pick up a dress shirt for the interview. Aria had told her that Hanna would bring an outfit to the studio later, but Emily couldn't go wearing yesterday's clothes. She put on her black bra and matching underwear, then tried on a white dress shirt from Alison's wardrobe. It was a bit tight, especially around her broader shoulders, but it would do.

As Emily admired herself in the mirror, arms wrapped around her waist from behind. Alison had woken up. The feeling of the blonde's chest pressed against her back stirred a fire in Emily that she found both comforting and arousing.

"Morning, Em," Alison murmured, her voice still thick with sleep. "How are you holding up?"

Emily leaned back into Alison's embrace, closing her eyes for a moment. "I'm okay, Ali. Nervous, but okay."

I'm more than okay right now, actually, she thought but dared not say.

"We'll get through this," Alison whispered, kissing the side of Emily's head.

Emily turned in Alison's arms, looking into her eyes. Without thinking, she cupped Alison's face and kissed her. It was a slow, tender kiss, filled with all the emotions she couldn't put into words. Alison had stopped things from getting heated the day before, yet Emily has never felt so sure about taking the next step as she was right now. Alison was keeping her grounded and she felt the need to lay her soul bare so the other woman could take all of it.

She walked back into the closet, tugging Alison with her, until her back hit the wall. Alison just followed her lead, seemingly unaware of where Emily wanted to go. So, the brunette placed one hand on Ali's lower back, rolling her hips against hers sensually to get her point across.

"Woah, Em," Alison breathed out as Emily kissed her neck, "Let's slow down for a moment."

"Ali, please," Emily begged, taking the blonde's hand and dragging it down to her underwear, where she could already feel desire pooling in her center.

"Em…" Alison hesitated, though she could feel Emily's warmth in her fingertips and it was getting so hard to control herself. She moved her hand up towards Emily's stomach, touching her there.

Emily grabbed her by the neck so they could stare deep in each other's eyes. Alison was looking at her with desire and adoration. There was so much love pouring from those blue eyes that Emily knew that Alison would stop them if she thought Emily wasn't ready for the next step.

"I want this. I want you," Emily reassured her. "Alison, you have no idea how much I love how you are there for me. Believe when I say that I'm ready and that I want this."

Alison closed her eyes. Emily was putting her heart in her hands and daring the blonde to trust her. She had no other option but to surrender. It wasn't like she could hold back on her own desires any longer. So, she pulled Emily in for a kiss, took off her underwear and finally touched Emily's most sacred place, brushing her fingertips gently.

Emily moaned against her lips and tugged at her hair, which let Alison know she was doing a great job. She found Emily's clit and rubbed it tenderly, memorizing how Emily unfolded to her touch in her arms. The brunette rolled her lips and clawed at her back. Alison then moved her lips to Emily's neck, kissing and sucking at her skin. She wanted to be rougher, to mark Emily as her, but she knew she couldn't leave a mark because the brunette was having an interview later on.

"Ali, inside, please!" Emily asked her and Alison found that there was nothing she wouldn't do for her woman. She prodded one finger inside of Emily, feeling her walls tense around her digit.

Alison mistook her tension for nerves, "Em, we can really stop anytime you want."

It had been a while since Emily had last had sex. She knew it would take some time for her body to adjust, especially now that she was with a new partner. Ali's fingers seemed smaller and thinner than Paige's, but Emily was thoroughly satisfied in how Alison listened and reacted to her body. It was as if they were in tune.

"It's okay, Ali," Emily encouraged her to continue. "It's just been a while, but I'm okay. And you're doing great."

A proud smile tugged at the blonde's lips, "Yeah?"

Emily nodded and kissed her, "Yes."

Alison kissed her back again and again as her finger slowly began to explore. She felt the tension in Emily's body dissipate around her digit and it didn't take much time for the brunette to beg for more.

"Ali, another one, please!"

The blonde complied, slipping another finger inside Emily, who let a loud moan escape her lips. Alison began to build a rhythm, marveling at how Emily blossomed and gave herself to her. The brunette wrapped a leg around Ali's hips, slightly shifting the angle and allowing the blonde to reach deeper.

Alison pulled away for a little while to stare at Emily. Her cheeks were red and her skin glistened with sweat. Her eyes were closed and small gasps of pleasure left her lips every time Alison thrusted in her.

"You're so gorgeous," the blonde said in awe between thrusts, resting her forehead against hers. "God, Em, you're so beautiful."

Emily whimpered at her words and began to work her hips, effectively riding Ali's fingers. The blonde felt so good inside of her that she wanted to scream. And she did yelp when Alison hit a spot that felt like a self-destruct button. Emily clawed down Ali's right arm until she found her hand and instructed the blonde, "Ali, right there!"

Alison smiled, but did not rush Emily's climax. She kept her rhythm and aimed at the spot Emily wanted her to touch. Eventually, Emily started to tremble. A familiar sensation of disarray flooded her body as she chanted Alison's name.

The blonde kept her grounded, pressing her even more against the closet walls so she wouldn't fall. Emily's breathing evened out as she rode her climax, Ali's warmth surrounding her in a lavender haze.

As Alison watched Emily in her arms, she knew she would do anything for the brunette. She had never felt romantic love before, but now it hit her like a truck. She wanted to shout it from the rooftops, but she couldn't. Not when Emily had bared her soul to her while she was still lying and keeping secrets. This made Alison feel unworthy of Emily's love.

"I love you," the words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them and then tears streamed down her face.

Emily's eyes widened with surprise and tenderness. "I love you too," she replied, then noticed Alison's tears. "Ali, it's gonna be okay!"

"Em!" Alison clutched to the brunette and cried a little bit more, trying to ease her guilt away.

Emily held her close, rubbing her back soothingly despite finding Ali's meltdown to be quite unexpected.

Alison sniffed and realized that she was scared. She was afraid that Emily was going to hate her once she found out about her secret job as a CIA agent and how she was connected to the Dunhill case.

She was afraid because it mattered.


You're lucky, I don't usually end my chapters with a cute scene, but I decided to cut this one short because it was getting huge and there are a lot of things that need to happen here.

Review and let me know your thoughts!