HELLO GUYS!
I hope you guys like one more chapters of our lovelies connecting. I think next chapter might be our last one, so hang on for the ride!
Tell me what you think of it.
With love,
White Tigresss
Rule 19: No more lies
One week later…
Emily lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, the darkness of the room doing nothing to calm her racing thoughts. She could hear Alison's soft breathing beside her, a steady rhythm that only heightened Emily's anxiety.
She turned to her side, trying to find a comfortable position, but her collarbone throbbed with every movement. She hadn't told Alison how much it still hurt, not wanting to add to her worries. But the pain was a constant reminder of everything they'd been through.
After what felt like hours of restless tossing, Emily gave up. She carefully slipped out of bed, wincing as she moved her injured arm, and padded quietly out of the bedroom. The living room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a lamp in the corner, casting long shadows on the walls. She sank into the couch, pulling a blanket over herself, hoping the familiar comfort of the worn cushions would bring some peace.
But it didn't. Her mind kept churning, replaying every moment of the past few weeks— Paige abducting her, Alison's betrayal, Aria's betrayal, Alison's near-death experience, the surgery, the countless hours spent in the hospital, the media frenzy. She could handle physical pain, but the mental and emotional toll was becoming unbearable.
Emily buried her face in her hands, trying to stifle the sobs that threatened to escape. She needed to be strong, for Alison's sake, but it was getting harder to keep it together.
It didn't take long for Alison to notice that something was wrong. Her instincts weren't so acute at the moment because of the pain she was feeling and the meds she was taking. However, they did perk up the first time she heard Emily padding to the living room. Alison initially believed that Emily needed some time to cool off and maybe some space so she could rest appropriately.
Then Alison heard the sobs.
A cold dread washed over her, cutting through the haze of pain and fatigue. Her heart ached, not from her physical wounds, but from the helplessness she felt hearing Emily's muffled cries. She struggled with the urge to get up, torn between the need to comfort Emily and the reality of her own frailty.
But the sound of Emily's sobs pulled her stronger than any pain. Slowly, Alison eased herself out of bed, wincing as the movement sent a sharp pang through her side. She reached for the bedpost to steady herself, her breaths shallow as she fought through the discomfort.
The apartment was dim, the only light coming from the faint glow of the streetlights outside. It was quiet, save for the sound of Emily's quiet weeping—a sound that broke Alison's heart all over again.
"Emily?" Alison called softly, her voice barely more than a whisper as she made her way to the living room.
The brunette didn't immediately respond, so Alison dragged herself to the couch, her every step a reminder of the pain she was still in. She found Emily curled up, her back facing the room, a silent plea for solitude that Alison couldn't ignore.
"Go back to sleep, Alison," Emily grumbled, her voice thick with exhaustion.
"I heard you crying," Alison countered gently, her concern cutting through her own discomfort. "What's going on?"
Emily stiffened but didn't turn around. Instead, she pulled the blanket tighter around herself, a physical barrier between her and the world. Alison, undeterred, eased herself down onto the edge of the couch. She reached out, brushing her fingertips along Emily's hair, a touch as soft as she could manage. The slight shiver that ran through Emily didn't go unnoticed by Alison, who felt a small pang of hope—Emily still responded to her.
"Go to sleep, Ali," Emily mumbled, her tone softening but still guarded. "I'll be fine."
"Okay," Alison relented, sensing that pushing further wouldn't help. "But promise me you'll call if you need anything?"
"I promise," Emily whispered, the words almost lost in the quiet of the room.
Alison leaned down despite the sharp protest from her chest, placing a tender kiss on the top of Emily's head. It was a simple gesture, but it carried the weight of all her love and concern. Emily wouldn't admit it—not tonight, at least—but that small act helped chase away the insecurities that had plagued her.
Alison had returned to bed, but sleep continued to evade her. The sight of Emily curled up on the couch, alone in the dark, weighed heavily on her mind. Emily had always been the strong one, the one who held everything together even when it seemed like the world was falling apart. But lately, that strength seemed to be unraveling, and Alison wasn't sure how to help.
Unable to rest, Alison carefully got out of bed, wincing at the persistent ache in her chest. She moved slowly, mindful of her healing body, as she made her way again to the living room. Emily hadn't moved, still huddled under the blanket, her back turned towards the room.
Alison hesitated, her heart aching at the thought of Emily struggling alone. She sat down carefully on the edge of the couch, close enough to feel Emily's warmth but not so close as to crowd her. She reached out, her hand hovering before finally resting gently on Emily's arm.
"Em," Alison whispered, her voice tender. "I'm here."
Emily didn't respond, but her body shifted slightly, a small movement that let Alison know she was listening. Alison could feel the tension in Emily's muscles, the way she held herself tightly, as if trying to contain the flood of emotions inside her.
Alison's fingers traced soothing patterns on Emily's arm, a gesture of comfort she hoped would break through the walls Emily had put up. "You don't have to do this alone," she murmured.
Emily's breathing hitched, and for a moment, Alison thought she might pull away. But instead, Emily turned towards her, tears glistening in her eyes. Alison's heart broke at the sight—Emily had always been the one to protect, to shield others from pain. Seeing her like this, so vulnerable, was almost unbearable.
Alison shifted closer, mindful of her own limitations, and carefully wrapped an arm around Emily's shoulders. She winced slightly at the strain on her chest but ignored it, focusing instead on the woman she loved. Emily hesitated, her gaze flickering to Alison's bandaged chest.
"You shouldn't be doing this," Emily murmured, her voice thick with concern. "You need to rest, Ali."
"And you need to know that you're not alone," Alison replied softly. "I'm here, Em. I'm always here."
Emily's resolve finally crumbled, and she leaned into Alison, resting her head gently on Alison's uninjured shoulder. The contact was tentative, careful, as if Emily feared hurting Alison, but it was enough. Alison held her close, ignoring the discomfort in her chest, focusing only on the weight of Emily's head against her shoulder and the soft, shuddering breaths that accompanied her tears.
"Ali, I'm scared," Emily whispered, her voice trembling.
Alison's heart clenched, and she tightened her hold on Emily, pressing a soft kiss to her hair. "I know, Em."
"I keep seeing us in that room with Paige," Emily confessed, her voice trembling. "Sometimes… we don't make it out." She hesitated, then added, "Other times, I'm back in that room with Aria, and I can't stop her from killing you." Her throat tightened as she gulped hard. "I don't know how you managed to stay so strong."
Alison listened, sensing the weight of what Emily was carrying. She knew Emily wasn't just asking about nightmares—she was asking how Alison had survived her own darkness.
"I liked the thrill of it," Alison admitted, her voice low. "It kept me going, gave me something to focus on. But… I was a stray kid for a while. There aren't many things more traumatizing than that."
Emily winced at the thought of a young Alison alone in the streets of New York. "Did anything ever happen to you… when you were out there?"
Emily's question hung in the air between them, the silence heavy. Alison turned her gaze to the ceiling, her mind drifting back to a time she rarely spoke of. The memories were jagged, like shards of glass she had learned to step over carefully, but she knew Emily needed to hear the truth.
"There were a few close calls," Alison finally said, her voice quiet but steady. "Nothing that left any physical scars… but it was lonely. Scary, sometimes. And I had to learn quickly who to trust, who to avoid. It made me tough, I guess, but it also made me… distant. From everyone."
Emily shifted on the couch, her eyes searching Alison's face for any sign of discomfort. "I wish I could've been there for you. Protected you, somehow."
Alison gave a small, bittersweet smile. "You couldn't have known, Em. I didn't want anyone to know. I thought that if I showed weakness, people would see me as nothing but a victim. But now… I think it's okay to admit that I needed help back then."
Emily took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Alison's words. "I think I get it now. Why you were so drawn to the CIA. It wasn't just about the thrill… it was about controlling the fear, right?"
Alison nodded, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. "You always did know how to see right through me."
Emily offered a faint smile, but it quickly faded. "And now… I'm the one who can't handle it. The nightmares, the fear… I feel like I'm falling apart."
Alison gently reached out, resting a hand on Emily's. "You're not falling apart, Em. You're healing. And healing isn't always pretty—it's messy, and hard, and it hurts. But you don't have to do it alone. Not this time."
Emily looked down at their intertwined hands, her heart pounding. "But what if I'm not strong enough?"
"You are," Alison said firmly, her grip tightening. "You're stronger than you know. And on the days you feel like you can't do it, I'll be right here, holding you up. Just like you've done for me."
For the first time in what felt like forever, Emily allowed herself to believe those words. She wasn't alone. Not anymore.
Emily felt the warmth of Alison's hand in hers, a comfort she hadn't realized how much she needed. The silence between them was no longer heavy with unspoken fears; it was a quiet understanding, a shared promise that they would face whatever came next together.
Alison shifted slightly, wincing at the movement, and Emily immediately moved to help her lie back down. Without a word, Emily settled beside her, careful not to put too much weight on Alison's side. Alison turned her head, resting it on Emily's shoulder, and for a moment, they both just lay there, listening to the sound of each other's breathing.
"Do you think you can sleep now?" Alison whispered, her voice barely audible in the dim light of the room.
Emily nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think I can."
As the minutes ticked by, the tension in Emily's body began to ease, the rhythmic rise and fall of Alison's breathing lulling her into a sense of calm she hadn't felt in weeks. She wrapped her arm around Alison, careful of her injuries, and felt Alison relax into her embrace.
Eventually, sleep came for both of them, gentle and unhurried. They fell asleep together, a tangle of limbs and shared warmth, finding solace in each other's presence. For the first time in a long time, the nightmares didn't seem so powerful, and the future—though uncertain—felt just a little bit more manageable.
Emily carefully adjusted her position on the couch, making sure not to disturb Alison. The space was tight, but they made it work, finding comfort in each other's presence despite the cramped quarters. Alison nestled her head on Emily's shoulder, her breath warm against Emily's neck.
The couch creaked slightly as Emily shifted, wrapping her arm around Alison as best as she could without causing any discomfort. Alison sighed contentedly, her body relaxing against Emily's, and for the first time in days, the tension seemed to melt away.
As they lay there together, the gentle rhythm of Alison's breathing began to lull Emily into a much-needed sense of calm. The anxiety that had kept her awake for so many nights slowly faded, replaced by the warmth and safety of having Alison close.
Eventually, the exhaustion overtook them both. Their breathing synchronized, and the soft glow of the early morning filtered in as they drifted into a peaceful sleep, entwined on the couch, finding solace in each other's arms.
Emily woke up to the soft touch of fingers running through her hair. It took only a moment for her to realize she had fallen asleep in Ali's arms after opening up about her anxiety. The warmth of Alison's embrace and the soothing caresses reminded Emily just how deeply Alison loved her, and it stirred something inside her—a quiet determination to work on their relationship.
She shifted slightly, letting Alison know she was awake. The blonde immediately stilled her hand, concern flickering across her face.
"I'm sorry," Ali whispered, her voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to wake you."
Emily's lips curled into a small smile as she nuzzled into the touch. "It felt good to wake up like that," she confessed, her voice soft and sincere. Alison's fingers resumed their gentle motion, and Emily couldn't help but let out a contented sigh, a quiet purr escaping her as the comforting strokes continued.
"Good," Alison murmured, a smile of her own tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'd like to keep waking you up like this for a very long time."
Emily shifted slightly, her thoughts starting to race. "Ali, I—"
But before she could finish, Alison gently interrupted, her voice filled with understanding. "We don't have to talk about it now, Em," she assured softly. "I just wanted you to know that I love you. I always have. And… you don't know how much I regret hurting you."
Emily's heart clenched at the sincerity in Alison's words. She could see the pain in Ali's eyes, a pain that matched her own. But beneath that, there was love—a love that had withstood so much, yet remained strong. Slowly, Emily lifted her hand to cup Alison's cheek, her thumb brushing against the soft skin.
"I know," she whispered back, her voice trembling slightly. "I love you too."
Alison pressed her lips together, struggling to hold back her tears. "I never wanted to get you involved from the start. I always knew you'd never get mixed up in doping or anything like that. And then… I got to know you."
Emily let out a groan, embarrassment creeping up on her. "When I asked you to teach me how to seduce someone." The last thing she wanted was for the whole CIA to know she had needed seduction lessons.
Alison shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I never told the CIA about that," she assured softly, almost as if reading Emily's mind. "That stayed just between us."
Emily swallowed hard, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. At least one of the most embarrassing moments of her recent past had remained a secret. "Good."
Alison's gaze softened as she continued. "That's when I really got to know you, Em. You made me feel things I'd never felt with anyone before. The irony is… you were the one who taught me how to love, not the other way around. I may have had experience in the physical aspects of it, but you were the one who was vulnerable enough to truly love. And suddenly, I wanted to be the woman you saw. I wanted to protect you, to deserve you… every single day. And it was killing me that I couldn't be completely honest with you."
Emily's heart clenched at the sincerity in Alison's voice. A memory surfaced, and she spoke softly, almost to herself, "So that's why you cried when we had sex in your closet."
Alison nodded, her eyes glistening. "You were giving me something so precious, but I was still keeping secrets. I wanted to tell you everything, Em. I wanted to tell you the day Paige abducted you."
Emily's gaze dropped as she nodded, the weight of the past settling between them. "You've told me that before. So have Spencer and Lorenzo."
Alison reached out, gently brushing her fingers along Emily's arm. "I'm sorry, Em. For all of it. I just wanted to protect you."
Emily's voice was steady but filled with emotion. "I understand why you had to lie," she said quietly. "But I'm not going to pretend that it didn't hurt me, Ali. It sent me into a spiral where I began to wonder if everything we had was all a lie."
Alison's eyes were earnest as she replied, "Emily, nothing we did was a lie. My feelings for you are real. I love you."
Emily nodded, a hint of a smile touching her lips. "I know that now. There are things that not even the greatest con artist could fake."
Curious, Alison asked, "What do you mean?"
Emily's eyes softened as she recalled a memory. "Remember when we kissed in your car? Your heart was racing so fast that day." Alison's cheeks flushed at the recollection. "That's when I knew. Not even you could fake something like that."
Alison gently took Emily's hand and placed it over her heart, being careful not to disturb her bandages. "That's true. You're the only one who makes my heart beat like that."
Emily chuckled softly, the sound warm and comforting. "And then there was that time at Hanna's when you thought I was asleep. You picked me up, placed me in my bed, and kissed me on the forehead."
Alison's nervous laugh was barely audible. "You were awake at that moment?"
Emily's eyes sparkled with a mixture of affection and amusement. "I was! And you were treating me so gently when you had nothing to prove… That's why I believe in you when you say you love me, Ali."
Alison's voice was a whisper, laden with emotion. "Em…"
"I'm willing to give you one more chance, Ali," Emily said firmly. "But for this to work, we need complete honesty. No more lies, no more scheming."
Alison pressed a soft kiss to the hand that had been covering her heart, making Emily shiver at the sweetness of the gesture. "I promise. No more lies, Em."
"Then we're good," Emily said, her fingers running gently through Alison's golden locks.
"Good," Alison echoed, her hand caressing Emily's hair as they snuggled closer on the couch. Emily let herself get lost in the blue of Alison's eyes that she adored so much. She noticed Alison's gaze lingering on her lips. Alison looked back up, signaling she wouldn't make the first move.
Emily leaned in and kissed Alison softly. She felt Alison tremble in her arms before the kiss deepened, with Alison rolling on top of her, pulling her closer. The kiss was gentle yet filled with the weight of their shared history. For Alison, it was like rediscovering a love she feared she had lost. For Emily, it affirmed that their love was real.
As they broke the kiss and caught their breath, they looked into each other's eyes and knew no words were needed.
YES, EMISON KISSED! Healing on the way.
