I'm back : ) This story took me a while to write, because I really love where the Emily/Paige storyline is going on the show right now. I'm not happy with the finished product, but I wanted to give you something. Regardless, if I wrote for PLL, this is how the story would continue. I'm thinking this is going to be a quick two part series with the 2nd part posted on Sunday night. Enjoy.

But I think it has to be as friends…

She couldn't believe that she had actually heard those words come from Emily's mouth.

But I think it has to be as friends…

She couldn't believe that she had actually said those words to Paige

But I think it has to be as friends…

Each girl replayed the phrase over again in her head until it became an ominous reminder of the events that transpired that afternoon.

Emily pulled her Toyota into the McCuller's driveway, unlocking the car doors as she did.

"I'm really sorry, Paige." Without hesitation, the heart-broken girl unbuckled her seatbelt and dashed from the car, not even bothering to say good-bye. Emily sighed and pulled out her phone

Hey Aria, you free? I could use a friend…

-Em

The response was almost immediate.

Of course. Come on over.

The brunette mustered a half smile at the reliability of her friends, but couldn't bring herself to actually feel anything other than destroyed. Any chance of a normal relationship had been shattered by Paige's insecurities, and it frustrated Emily that the universe wasn't allowing her to be happy. The playful banter, the karaoke, the kiss in the parking lot, the romantic picnic: it had all been so—perfect. And now—it was gone. After pulling up in front of Montgomery's house, Emily took a moment to compose herself. It was time to be honest with someone about Paige—and Maya—and she chose Aria to be that person. As an expert at secret relationships, Emily hoped that the girl would be both sympathetic and honest with her.

Her friend greeted her at the door with a fresh cup of hot coffee and a welcoming smile.

"Hey, Sweetie. Are you alright?" Emily relaxed at the instant comfort she felt in the other girl's presence.

"Yeah," she said, stepping into the house. "I just really need someone to talk to…"

"Alright, well, let's talk." Aria offered the taller girl another soft smile, and they made their way into the living room.

As Emily spilled more and more of her heart out to Aria, she felt a deep burden gently lift from her shoulders. It felt good. For once, she actually felt some semblance of peace. They had talked for over two hours straight and Aria positioned herself to make one final, summarizing point.

"So, Em, the question you have to ask yourself is, 'Is Paige McCullers worth it?' Because, for me, in my life, Ezra is worth it. Sure, I would love it if we could be out and open with our relationship, but right now, we can't. So, it's worth it to me to keep quiet, as long as we get to be together. I would never risk losing the opportunity to love him. Can you say the same about Paige?"

Emily stared at the dark rings forming on the inside of her mug. She had just finished her fourth cup of coffee and the caffeine was making her antsy.

"These past few days have been so unexpected," she whispered, slowly looking up to meet Aria's knowing gaze. "I don't know what's going to happen between us, but what I do know is that she makes me feel happy. She makes me feel a 'happy' that I've never felt before in my life. She is trying so hard to be different: to be better, and she's doing it all for me. I think I sort of owe it to her to have some patience."

"After all… Maya had to be patient with you…" Aria was careful not to offend the girl.

"Yeah, she did." A gentle silence washed over the room as Aria anxiously waited for Emily to make her decision.

"So, Em, is she worth it?"

"She is."

The morning had been an emotionally rough one for Emily Fields. Despite her positive outlook last night on the whole situation, she had woken up doubting all of her conclusions about Paige. The swimmer was now walking aimlessly through the halls of her high school all but dragging herself from class to class.

"So, how are you doing this morning?" Aria slid up next to her and asked with genuine concern.

"Well, everything still sucks, if that's what you're asking." She didn't mean to snap at the shorter girl. After all, Aria was the only person at this point that could help her figure out what the hell she was suppose to do. Emily instantly offered an apology.

"I'm sorry, Aria. I'm just frustrated. Paige isn't returning any of my calls, and I've spent all morning looking for her—"

"Em! You just need to stop freaking out about everything and remember what we talked about last night. Right?"

"Yeah, it's just—"

"No! Emily Fields, you listen to me right now." Aria pulled them to the side of the hallway and forced Emily to look her in the eye. "She's worth it, right?" Emily responded with a knowing sigh and spent an extended period of time staring at her shoes..

Looking up she responded, "Yes, definitely worth it."

"So, go get your girl back!" The taller girl grinned at the cheesy sentiment and thanked her friend. Watching Emily wander off to her next class, Aria noticed what could be construed as a slight skip in the other girl's step.

After parting ways with Emily, she felt a gentle tug on her left sleeve. The action startled her; yet, she wasn't at all surprised by the person standing in front of her.

"Hi, Paige." She greeted the girl as if she had been expecting this moment to come.

"Can I ask you about something?—well, someone?" Frustrated at her sudden lack of linguistic skills Paige hurried out, "Can I talk to you about Emily… please?"

"Sure, what do you want to talk about?" Aria's nonchalance was unnerving to Paige, and it made her doubt the decision to breach the topic. Taking a deep breath, the redhead decided that it was now or never.

"Well, I don't know what she's told you, but we—"

"Yeah, I know." Aria smiled gently at the girl, hoping to calm her nerves even a little bit.

"Ok, that makes this a little bit easier then," Paige mumbled to herself. After a reassuring nod from the other girl she continued, "So, as you know, I royally screwed things up with her, and I know I was an idiot, and I know I was just being scared, but sometimes it's just so hard to match Emily's bravery, and I really like her, and I really want to keep seeing her, and I'm afraid if I don't do something I could lose her forever… and why are you laughing? Oh God, I must sound like such an idiot." Paige started to move backwards but found a steady grip on her wrist.

"Paige, I'm not laughing at you, I promise. It's just—you really should return her calls. I mean, I spent the entire evening listening to Emily ramble on in that same exact way."

"Really?" Paige seemed utterly shocked, and Aria couldn't suppress the giggle that returned to her mouth.

"I'm going to ask you the same thing that I asked her. Is she worth it?"

"Of course she's worth it," Paige blurted out with a shy grin on her face. Aria finally saw in the girl what Emily had seen all along.

"Then, there's your answer." She smiled and began to walk away.

Paige took a second to interpret the girl's words and shouted after her, "Are you always this enigmatic, Montgomery?"

"I don't know what that word means Paige, but what I do know is that if you find someone to love, you can't let them slip away."

Before Paige could rebut Aria's statement, the girl has vanished into a sea of overly-caffeinated high school students. What the hell is she getting at? Of course, Emily is worth it. I would do anything for her. Oh...

The realization had finally hit Paige square in the chest. The only time that she had been truly happy in the past month—or even the past year—had been with Emily Fields. She decided then and there that no one was going to take that happiness away from her, especially herself. Pushing off of the locker that was now holding her up, Paige hurried to class to eagerly plan how she was going to get her girl back.

"Hi, Emily." She was startled by the sudden intrusion in her otherwise silent moment.

"Paige, hi! I've been looking for you all morning."

"Well, once again, Emily Fields, I was avoiding you." She offered a playful shove to the other girl.

"Right, well I figured that much." Even in the midst of an awkward conversation, Emily couldn't help but flirt with Paige, and she even noticed Paige flirting back. Wait, what? She's flirting with me… and there are people around! As the two girls stood in line waiting for their food, the Emily couldn't hide the grin tugging at the edge of her mouth. They were flirting in public, and, for the brunette, it was a step in the right directions. It would certainly make the whole 'I can be your secret' thing a million times easier.

"Listen, Paige." She leaned in close to the girl. "I know this isn't the place for a full blown discussion, but I need you to know one thing: I was wrong the other day. I can wait."

The redhead smiled at her and led them over to the table occupied by Emily's three other friends

Turning to look at Emily, she countered, "No, Emily, I was wrong. You shouldn't have to wait, and I'm not ashamed of you." She took a step towards the brunette and exhaled slowly. Panic set in as Emily began to comprehend the magnitude of Paige's actions. She felt every pair of eyes around them glaring at the two of them only inches apart. This is absurd. Paige is skipping all of the baby steps and just going straight for the grand finale. Emily knew what this meant. It meant that Paige was desperately trying to save herself from losing Emily.

So instead, she turned he head away and whispered, "Wait, Paige—not like this."

"What then?" The girl was beyond frustrated with Emily's contradicting actions. "Do you want me to stand on this table and tell the whole cafeteria how I feel about you? Because I will. I can be ballsy too…"

Before Emily could answer, Paige began searching for a way onto the table. Just as she pulled out a chair and set her foot on it both girls heard a throat clear next to them. Turning towards the sound, Paige recognized a familiar short girl with dark, curly hair. She looked back at the brunette and cringed at the smile on her face.

"Hello Emily."