Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to PLL.

Hello again! I haven't watched the show in a couple of years so I don't know everything that's happened. But I have watched the last couple of episodes because I knew the series was finally ending. So I know Emison just got together. I guess it's better late than never. I lost my muse for this story during my hiatus from it but something has struck a chord in me again so here I am keeping my word and finishing it. I hope it hasn't been forgotten. Thank you to all who have read this and all my other stories and for your patience while I was away.

This story was started in late 2014 (posted in early 2015) so it is AU as of Season 5, Episode 12. It is a sequel to my story "Ali's Nightmare Before Christmas", my version of the Season 5 Christmas episode where I revealed that "A" was Ali's twin Courtney. Therefore, please remember in this story Cece is NOT related to Ali and Jason and she was not "A".

You may want to go back and read that story and reread the first chapters of this one before you read this chapter because what happens is VERY different than what actually happened on the show.

Enjoy! And if you are so inclined, please leave a review. Thanks.

Breathe Again – Chapter 8

The sound of her phone ringing caught Alison's attention as she went over the storyboards for her shoot. She only had two more set ups and then she could call it a day.

"Regan, grab my phone, will ya?" she called to her assistant, of only a few months, who was standing nearby. Regan reached into the blonde's camera bag and grabbed the phone before handing it to Alison. Her lips curved upward when she saw the name on the screen.

"Hi baby," she purred into the phone as she answered it. Just the anticipation of hearing her girl's voice made Alison shiver. She'd reluctantly left the brunette sleeping, naked, in her bed before the sun came up in order to make her call time. She and Emily had only been, officially, dating for a little over a month but Alison could hardly remember what it was like before the girl she loved came back into her life. But she didn't want to think about the train wreck that was their past. She wanted, only, to focus on the present and future.

"Hi sweetheart," Emily greeted and Alison could hear the smile in the brunette's voice.

"Mmmm, I love when you call me that." Alison lowered her voice an octave as she watched her assistant walk away, having quickly learned when to get lost without Alison having to tell her. "Especially when you whisper it in my ear when you're naked on top of me."

Emily hummed softly in return. "I wish that's where I was right now."

"Me too," Alison breathed in response. "Are just getting out of work?" the blonde asked although she knew the answer due to the late hour.

"Yeah, about five minutes ago. Are you still on set? How's the shoot going?"

"Fucking slow as hell," Ali sighed as she set her storyboard on the chair beside her. "The rain slowed us down just after sunset but we should be done within the hour."

"Long day," the brunette mused sympathetically. "You must be tired."

"A little," the blonde admitted with a smile. "What's that noise?"

"My mailbox has been sticking lately," Emily replied as the sound of clanging metal came through the phone. "I have to let the landlord know."

"You're at your place?" Alison asked, surprise in her voice.

"Yeah."

"Oh," Alison said thoughtfully as she heard the door clang shut. "Why are you there? I thought you were staying over tonight."

"I'm planning to," Emily replied as she stepped over and into the elevator as the door slid open. "But this is the first time I've checked my mail in a week, Ali, and I'm running out of clothes."

"You don't need clothes when you're at my place," Alison purred again and Emily hummed lowly in her ear making the blonde grin. She loved that sound. Emily made it quite often when the two women were together; usually when Alison said something naughty, which was also quite often. "Clothes are completely overrated."

Emily chuckled because she had no doubt Alison truly believed that. "But I don't think Pierre would appreciate it if I showed up at work naked."

Regan walked over and tapped her wrist to let Alison know everyone was waiting on her but the blonde just waved her away.

"I think you underestimate the power of your naked body, Em," Alison teased even though her stomach twisted at the thought of anyone else seeing her girl naked.

"Alison," Emily laughed and shook her head as she slid here key into her front door. "Don't you have a shoot to finish?"

"I'd rather talk about your naked body," Alison purred yet again because she knew how much Emily loved it when she did.

"Well if you want to see it anytime soon, you should get back to work and finish your shoot."

Even though she sounded like her mother, that was all the incentive Alison needed. "I should be home in an hour or so."

Emily chuckled knowing she'd won this round. That was rare. "I won't be there," Emily said as she rummaged through her closet.

"Huh?" Alison frowned. "But I thought you just said you were-"

Emily tossed some clothes into her duffle bag. "I'm heading over there in a few minutes to take Pepe for a walk but then I'm going back to the restaurant."

"Why?"

Emily smiled at Alison's sulky tone. "Pierre said I could use the kitchen after hours to make the cakes for Ruby's birthday party tomorrow."

Over the last several weeks, Emily made it a habit to accompany Alison to Fields House. But Ruby, their youngest inhabitant, was slow to warm up to the brunette. To say her reception to Emily's presence was standoffish, and a bit chilly, was an understatement. But Emily always brought sweet chocolate treats for the girls and Ruby was a confirmed chocoholic like Alison.

Since Ruby arrived at Fields House, the blonde would often take the young girl to John Kelly Chocolates. The specialty chocolate shop, originally located in Santa Monica, had recently opened a second shop on Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice. The two of them would take Pepe, Frankie and Johnny for a walk and coincidentally always just seemed to find themselves in front of the shop.

Alison and the young girl bonded instantly when the blonde picked her up almost seven months ago. Ruby didn't trust anyone, having suffered horrific abuse in her home before she ran away at twelve. She came to Fields House after living on the streets, on her own, for over a year. She was like a skittish kitten but by the time the six hour ride back to Venice was over, she and Alison had formed a kinship after the blonde shared her own stories of being alone on the streets as a young teen. And although Alison was protective of all the girls that came through Fields House, she was particularly so with Ruby. And the young girl worshipped the blonde.

Therefore, when Emily started coming around with Alison, Ruby was originally distant, unapproachable, jealous and gave the brunette the cold shoulder. But no one could resist the beauty and goodness that was Emily Fields for long.

And since Emily had been bringing her decadent homemade chocolate concoctions Ruby's attitude toward the brunette had slowly softened. In an attempt to bridge the distance, the previous weekend Emily asked Ruby to help her make chocolate cupcakes and the young girl lit up like a Christmas tree. So when Emily asked Alison if she could make Ruby's birthday cake, the blonde had been so overwhelmed with love for the brunette she could barely speak. Instead she hurled herself at her mermaid and when they both came up for air, their clothes and the sofa cushions were strewn all over the living room, the coffee table had been flipped on its side, Emily had half-moon fingernail indentations in the skin at the base of her back and Pepe was hiding under the bed upstairs.

Alison's lips curved into a sultry grin at the memory but then it softened before finally turning into a pout. "Well I guess I don't have to rush to wrap it up here then."

"I know you've had a long day but I was thinking maybe you could come by and help me," Emily suggested as she slung her duffle bag over her shoulder and looked around her bedroom to make sure there wasn't anything else she needed.

"Mmmm," Alison hummed. "You know how sexy I think you look in your uniform."

"So should I take that as a yes?" Emily chuckled. The blonde was so easily aroused. Not that the brunette was complaining.

Before Alison could answer Jack walked up beside her. "Lights are hot. What's the hold up, boss?"

Emily locked the front door and started toward the elevator. "I should let you go."

"No! Fuck off, Jack. I'm talking to my girl," Alison said as she glared at gaffer who was completely unfazed by her ire or her cursing.

"Hey Sophia!" Jack leaned closer and called into Alison's phone.

"Sophia?"

Alison punched Jack in the bicep. "Her name is Emily, jackass. I told you to stop calling her that."

"But she's sexy and exotic like Sophia Loren," Jack replied as he shook his arm.

"You do realize Sophia Loren is over eighty, right?" Alison stood up and grabbed her storyboards.

"But did you see her when she was twenty-five?" Jack grabbed her camera bag and slung it over his shoulder as he wiggled his eyebrows in a teasing leer. "She was a freaking goddess. You should be flattered I think your girlfriend is that sexy."

"You keep your eyes and thoughts off my girlfriend, Jack, or they'll never find your body." Alison's voice was low and dangerous but he just laughed.

"Come on, we're all dying to get out of here. The sooner we do this the sooner you can see Sophia."

"I'm the photographer, Jack. Tell everyone to fucking wait," the blonde snapped aggravated.

"Whatever. See you around Sophia," he called as she walked away ducking when Alison threw her storyboards at him.

"Em? I'm sorry. Are you still there?" Alison checked the face of her phone to see if the call was still connected. "Em?"

"I'm here, Ali," Emily smiled as she heard Alison's relieved sigh. "You know, Jack's right. The sooner you finish the sooner you can see me in my uniform. And out of it," she teased.

"You don't play fair, Em. Now how am I supposed to concentrate?" Alison pouted even as she chuckled. She liked this teasing, sultry, side of her girlfriend. She always knew Emily had it in her.

Shy on the streets but sexy in the sheets.

"Come around the back of the restaurant and knock on the kitchen door when you get there."

Alison could hear the smile in her voice. "Alright, baby. I'll see you in a little while."

The blonde reluctantly hung up the call and turned to find her assistant standing in front of her with a knowing smirk on her face. She handed Alison her storyboards.

"Don't say a fucking word, Regan."

##################

"Hi, sweetheart."

Alison stepped into the kitchen, pressing a kiss to Emily's lips as she walked by the brunette who was holding the door open.

"That was fast," Emily smiled as she closed the door behind her girlfriend.

Alison flashed a playful grin as she shrugged out of her jacket. "All you have to do is give me the right incentive and I can be quite efficient."

The blonde looked around the kitchen. The large stainless steel counter was covered in bowls full of ingredients and all sorts of kitchen utensils Alison didn't recognize. The smell of chocolate permeated the air and she moaned softly and involuntarily. She just couldn't help it. Chocolate always had that effect on her.

"Is that moan for me or the chocolate?" Emily asked knowingly as she snorted softly.

Alison's lips curved upward as she stepped closer, letting her eyes rake over Emily in her uniform before she pressed her body against her girl.

"Would you believe me if I said both?" Alison breathed and licked her lips.

Emily gripped her hips and tugged her even closer.

"Actually I would," Emily chuckled as she brushed her nose against Alison's.

"The combination of you and chocolate in the same space should be illegal," Alison replied as she pressed her nose against Emily's cheek and inhaled softly.

"Who would have even known Alison DiLaur… uh… Fields," Emily quickly corrected herself when Alison leaned her head back and narrowed her eyes. "Could be so corny?" she finished, teasing, as she tucked her hands into the back pockets of Alison's jeans. Secretly she loved this side of Alison. Definitely one that was surprising but very much welcome. The blonde was incredibly romantic and not shy at all in showing that side of herself with Emily. In fact, she seemed to delight in it.

"God I fucking missed you," the blonde exhaled as she wrapped her arms around Emily's waist. "Are you going to kiss me or not?"

With a soft sigh of her own Emily reached up and cupped the blonde's face in her palms. "I missed you too, love," she replied before she took Alison's lips in a soft kiss. Alison moaned again and this one was just slightly different than the last. It was deeper, more primal, and Emily swallowed the sound as she kissed the blonde. She slid her fingers up and into Alison's blond locks, tilting her head back so she could deepen the kiss.

What started out as a soft, slow, meeting of lips quickly morphed into a frenetic duel for dominance as Alison opened her mouth and Emily took advantage of the invitation by pressing her tongue against the blonde's. Alison grabbed the front of Emily's uniform and yanked as they stumbled backward until the blonde's ass hit the counter. She groaned softly as her arms wrapped around Emily's waist again and she reveled in the feel of the woman presses against her.

This was something that seemed to happen a lot. All it took was a simple look, an innocent touch or a seemingly soft kiss and, suddenly, it was like an inferno erupted inside them. But they had years of pent up longing and a lot of missed time to make up for and neither of them wanted to fight any part of their feelings for each other any longer.

When the kiss gentled again and their lips parted, Alison exhaled a long breath and pressed her face into Emily's neck as the brunette slipped her fingers out of the blonde's hair and slid them down her back.

"Fuck."

The word slipped past Alison's lips causing Emily to smile. Alison said that word more often than Emily expected. After spending some time with both Alison and Cece together, recently, the brunette understood why. But when Alison said it as they both tried to recover from a kiss like they just shared, Emily didn't mind. There was actually something incredibly sexy about making her girlfriend curse and Emily couldn't stop her urge to press one last kiss to the corner of Alison's mouth.

"You ready to learn how to cook with chocolate?" Emily asked as she forced herself to step back.

Alison arched her brow as she opened her eyes. "I wasn't aware this was a cooking lesson? I just thought I was going to sit by and watch you work your chocolate magic, getting all hot and bothered until I could take you home and defile you in a dozen different ways."

Emily chuckled even as Alison's words settled low in her belly. She grabbed the blonde's hand and tugged her around the counter. "Well, you could do that but if you help me we can get it done faster and then I can give you my surprise."

"I like surprises." Alison's eyes twinkled playfully. "What is it?"

"You'll just have to wait to find out." Emily handed Alison an apron that had been resting on the counter. "Now, put this on."

"Why don't you have one?" Alison asked as she did as she was instructed.

Emily grasped a large bowl from the center of the counter and pulled it toward the edge. "Because I'm in uniform. A chef doesn't wear an apron and uniform at the same time. The uniform is an apron for all intents and purposes."

Alison let her eyes rake over her girl again. "Did you put that back on just for me?"

"As a matter of fact I did," Emily grinned as she pulled Alison closer.

"You're racking up the brownie points tonight," Alison teased but then her voice lowered an octave as her blue eyes darkened. "Although I have to say I'm now picturing you out of that uniform and wearing nothing but one of these aprons."

Emily shook her head and snorted. "If you don't behave, Ali, we're going to be here all night."

Alison stuck out her lower lip but turned around to face the counter. "Fine. But if you think I'm not going to make it my mission to have you in my kitchen in nothing but an apron you don't know me very well at all."

Emily pressed her lips against Alison's ear. "If you behave tonight, I might just do it willingly."

############

For the next twenty minutes, Emily guided Alison through the motions of combining all the ingredients together, having to stop Alison from sticking her finger in the warm chocolate at least a half dozen times.

"Alison," Emily scolded again as she turned back from washing her hands to find her girlfriend with her index finger scraping the side of the second cake pan.

The blonde batted her eyelashes innocently. "What?"

"There is raw egg in that."

Alison shrugged. "You can't expect me to hold out against chocolate, Em. It's like asking me to hold out against you. Not gonna happen."

Emily opened the preheated oven and slid the four cake pans into it before walking to the stove and firing up the burner under the double boiler. She poured the chocolate pieces into the top pan and lowered the flame beneath it.

"So how long do those have to cook?" Alison asked as she wiped the counter down with a wet cloth.

"Thirty-five minutes," Emily replied as she walked back over to the blonde.

"So what do we do now?" Alison asked as she tried, but failed, to hold back a yawn.

"I'm sorry, love," Emily reached up and cupped Alison's cheek, "I didn't think about how doing this tonight would make it such a long day for you after you had to get up so early."

Alison turned her face and kissed Emily's palm. "I'm okay, Em. I can sleep in tomorrow." Alison slid her arms around her mermaid and wiggled against her. "This has been fun. I love watching you in your element. It takes my breath away."

Emily lowered her lips to Alison's and kissed her softly causing the blonde to sigh. "Are you up for more fun while we wait for the cakes to cook?"

Alison's eyes widened in anticipation. "What kind of fun are you talking about?"

The blonde watched as her girlfriend's eyes darkened slightly and her breath caught in her throat.

She knew that look.

And exactly what that look meant.

"Do you know the entire time I was studying at ecole chocolat I fantasized about covering you with chocolate and licking then it off you?"

The blonde let out an actual whimper at her girl's words but the images they invoked left her speechless.

Emily reached around Alison and untied her apron before letting it drop to the floor.

"Every new class I took, I imagined using your body as a canvas," Emily continued softly and Alison inhaled a shuddering breath as the brunette's name escaped her lips. Alison trembled as her girlfriend's fingers tugged on the button of her jeans before pulling Alison's shirt out of the waistband.

Alison's voice shook as she spoke. "Should we really do this here?"

"We should absolutely do this here," Emily replied and Alison moaned at the confidence in her girl's voice. "Up," the brunette urged and Alison lifted her arms so Emily could remove her shirt.

"Em," Alison breathed as she lowered her arms and leaned forward, pressing her lips against Emily's. The brunette returned the kiss as she reached around and unsnapped Alison's bra.

She tossed it aside before her hands came up and cupped the blonde's breasts in her palms.

Alison moaned into her mouth and clutched at her girl. Emily released Alison's lips and brushed her own along the blonde's cheek.

"I've thought about nothing but getting you on this counter for weeks," Emily whispered against Alison's ear as she rolled her girlfriend's nipples between her thumbs and forefingers.

"Oh, fuck," Alison's head fell back and her eyes closed. Emily slipped her tongue out and slid it down Alison's throat, alternating between swirling, tasting and sucking the soft skin gently.

Alison tugged at the knot on the back of Emily's head, releasing her hair before burying her face into it. She felt the sensations from Emily's tongue and fingers all the way down between her thighs. She released a long breath that morphed into a soft groan as Emily's fingers released her nipples and returned to her pants. The brunette lowered the zipper and pushed Alison's jeans down her hips before grasping the blonde's waist.

"Up," she said again as she lifted Alison onto the stainless steel counter.

Alison hiccupped softly against Emily's neck as the she felt the cold metal through her silk panties and against the back of her thighs.

Emily pulled back and crouched down as Alison toed off her shoes. The brunette removed her jeans quickly and threw them to her left.

"Don't move," she said as she stood up and turned back to the stove. She dipped her fingertip into the melting chocolate, stirring it as Alison watched her, panting softly.

Emily removed the chocolate from the burner. "Be careful," Emily warned as she stepped between Alison's thighs and set the bowl on the counter next to the blonde. "The chocolate isn't too hot but the bowl is."

Alison leaned back on her elbows and swallowed, her body vibrating with anticipation. She watched as her girl's tongue peeked between her lips as she lifted a small spatula out of the bowl, warm liquid chocolate dripping from the end.

"Are you ready, love?" Emily asked as she turned to look at Alison, a mischievous grin curving her lips.

Alison's lips curved to match her girl's and she nodded because that was all she was capable of doing at the moment.

Then she moaned long and low as the warm liquid met her skin.

#############

"God, Em," Alison whimpered as she arched her back over the stainless steel counter top.

Emily continued to smile from where she stood between Alison's spread thighs. She slowly drizzled thin lines of the warm decadent liquid chocolate confection over Alison's skin, making a figure eight pattern around and between her breasts; slowly making her way to the middle where the blonde's hard nipples pebbled in the center.

"That feels so good," Alison whimpered again for the fourth time in as many minutes.

"I told you it's all about the temperature," Emily replied breathlessly as she watched Alison's body writhe in pleasure.

"Fuck," Alison groaned and she arched her back deeper as the warm chocolate coated her skin, sending shivers of pleasure through her entire body.

"You're such a potty mouth," Emily chuckled but she knew Alison couldn't help it.

Emily finished drizzling the last light line around Alison's nipple then she stepped back to admire her handiwork.

Alison opened her eyes, the blue irises darker and full as she gasped for breath.

"You're so beautiful spread out for me like this," Emily whispered reverently before she stepped sideways and turned.

"Where are you going?" Alison pouted hoarsely.

"I need one more thing. Don't move," Emily commanded again softly as she stepped over to the refrigerator and pulled open the steel door, pulling out a bowl of freshly whipped cream.

The timer for the cakes went off and Emily sidestepped to the oven to pull them out and set them on the cooling racks.

"Now we just have to wait for them to cool."

"How long is that?" Alison asked breathlessly.

"Long enough," Emily murmured as she stepped back between Alison's thighs and set the bowl down. The blonde trembled and started to sit up but Emily pressed her hand on her stomach. "No. You'll ruin my masterpiece if you sit up." Emily looked around. "I need a picture of this. Where's your phone?"

Alison's lips curved into a sultry grin. "In the back pocket of the jeans you tossed across the room a few minutes ago."

Emily walked over and retrieved Alison's phone. The blonde remained leaning on her hands as her heated gaze followed Emily. Her nipples ached and throbbed in anticipation as did the flesh between her thighs. Alison briefly looked down at her breasts and she swallowed thickly. She was so aroused by what Emily had just done. And, as thoughts of what Emily would be doing soon assaulted her mind, she felt another rush of arousal soak her panties.

Emily stepped between her thighs again and snapped a couple of pictures. Alison leaned back, resting on her elbows now. She gasped as the cold steel of the countertop assaulted her warm skin again.

"You don't even really like chocolate," Alison mused as she watched Emily put her phone on the counter and then take a dollop of fresh whipped cream and drop it onto her nipple. "Oh," she moaned softly as the combination of warm and cold registered.

Now Emily's lips curved seductively. "I have a feeling I'm going to love the taste of it today."

And the brunette was sure she was. Just the thought of the chocolate mixed with the taste of Alison's skin was making her mouth water.

"Em, baby," Alison whimpered and writhed softly as Emily dropped a dollop of whipped cream on her other nipple before setting the bowl aside.

Emily pushed Alison's thighs wider and pulled her ass to the edge of the counter. She grasped the waistband of Alison's panties, the last remaining piece of clothing the blonde wore and tugged them down. Unable to wait a second longer, she leaned down and slowly swirled her tongue around Alison's right nipple, lapping up the sweet cream mixed with chocolate as the blonde's eyes rolled back in her head.

"You could so get fired for this if anyone finds out," Alison choked out softly.

Emily grinned as she lifted her head and licked her lips. "That's the brilliance of stainless steel. The chocolate cleans off easily and quickly."

"There's going to be a lot more than chocolate on this counter if you keep that up," Alison moaned long and low as Emily's tongue once again swirled softly up and over the soft mound of Alison's other breast.

The brunette caressed Alison's thighs, her fingers slowly moving toward the warm wet flesh between.

When she heard Alison gasp, Emily's lips curved again.

She was just getting started.

############

Emily laughed as she watched Alison get bowled over by a trio of excited dogs as she and Ruby played fetch with them. Nicole sat on the bench beside her also chuckling at the sight taking place on the back lawn.

"Those dogs sure love Ali."

"Yes they do," Emily murmured sharing both Nicole's and the dog's sentiments. Nicole handed her a cup of coffee. "Thanks," Emily said.

The picnic table was still covered in the desert plates, although none of them had even a crumb left. As usual, Emily's deserts were devoured like they were the last food on earth. Holbrook, or Gabe as Emily was getting used to calling him now, was sitting in a chair next to the fire pit beside the patio chatting with one of the bodyguards, Jason and Cece.

Alison insisted that both her brother and friend attend Ruby's birthday because the girl didn't have many friends due to being home schooled by Nicole while they were waiting for word from social services about what foster home was being selected for her.

Just a few days prior Alison had petitioned the courts for Ruby to be able to remain at Field's House permanently since she couldn't go home. The abuse she suffered was proven when social services visited her parent's home and found evidence of what they had done to the girl. It was a long shot but Alison was determined to keep the girl and when Alison became determined about something she usually got her way.

Emily glanced toward the fire pit again and Cece caught her eye, giving the brunette her signature Cece smirk. In the month that Emily and Alison had been dating, Emily had only seen Jason and Cece twice, but Alison's closest friend, and brother's girlfriend, had already made it clear she was watching Emily.

"I believe you love her, Americano. But no matter how 'lovey dovey Ali' gets with you right now she's never going to be some docile perfect girlfriend."

"I love her the way she is, Cece," Emily insisted as she and Cece faced one another in Alison's kitchen while the blonde in question showered upstairs. "And I know the baggage she comes with. We both come with baggage and accept that about each other."

"You don't know half the fucking baggage she comes with Emily," Cece snarled as she emphasized Emily's name rather than her nickname now. Emily refused to flinch and the Cece sighed. "I promised Alison I won't interfere. And I won't. I want the two of you to work out because she loves you but know that I've got my eye on you. I won't let anyone hurt her ever again."

"Neither will I," Emily replied with a defiant lift of her chin.

Cece looked at her through narrowed eyes before her lips curved into her signature smirk. "That protective girlfriend thing is kinda sexy on you, Americano."

Since that day, she and Cece seemed to have a mutual truce. But the brunette wondered if it would last because Cece was even more volatile than Alison. Emily's eyes slid back to her girlfriend who was grinning at her from her prone position on the grass as Pepe plopped down on her legs. Emily smiled still amazed at the turn her life had taken. She had Alison back and the blonde loved her. Most days Emily felt like she was in a dream because it wasn't possible to be this happy. It wasn't possible for someone to get exactly what they absolutely wanted. But she, Emily Fields, had somehow done it.

"Thank you for the cakes, Emily," Nicole said and Emily gave her attention back to the woman she'd momentarily forgotten was beside her. "You made Ruby's entire day. I think you've successfully won her over. I heard her tell Katie the other day, and I quote 'it would really suck" if you didn't make her birthday cake"

Emily smiled. "I was happy to do it. I think Alison had fun helping me too," the brunette said and tried to hide her smirk behind her mug as she took a sip of coffee.

"Based on that grin, I'd say you both had fun." Nicole said casually but her meaning wasn't lost on Emily and she felt the heat rise into her cheeks because she realized her meaning wasn't lost on Nicole either.

"Leave my girl alone," Alison said as she dropped down onto the bench beside Emily and squeezed the brunette's thigh gently. She was disheveled, her hair tangled from the wind and playing with the dogs and Emily reached up and pulled a few strands of grass from the golden locks.

"What?" Nicole batted her eyelashes innocently. "I only said I'm sure you had fun helping Emily bake."

"Uh huh," Alison replied but the memories of the previous night were still fresh in her mind and she swallowed thickly with a quick heated glance at Emily before licking her lips. The blonde chuckled with mirth as her girl continued to blush. It made her want to kiss Emily breathless but no one here wanted to see that, Alison was sure.

"So I hear congratulations are in order," Nicole said as she sipped her coffee.

Emily looked confused as Alison leaned across the table for her iced tea. "What are you talking about?"

"Jason said you got the Sports Illustrated gig."

Alison laughed as she sat back on the bench. "Yeah, he's so fucking jealous he can't see straight."

Now Nicole looked confused. "Why? He isn't a photographer."

Alison dropped her hand to Emily's knee again and Emily entwined their fingers under the table. "Like that matters. He just wants me to take him with me."

"Why do I suspect that won't go over well with Cece," Nicole replied drolly.

Alison snorted. "She doesn't give a shit as long as I take her too."

"Where's it going to be?"

"Fiji," Alison said as she felt Emily caressing her palm gently.

"Damn, I'm jealous too," Nicole replied before looking at Emily again. "Are you going with her, Em?"

Alison pouted as she moved closer to her mermaid. "I'm trying to convince her to ask he boss for the time off but I haven't succeeded yet."

Emily shot Alison a sideways glance. "Ali, I haven't even been at Chez Pierre for five months. I can't ask for time off yet."

Alison rested her head on Emily's shoulder and batted her baby blues at her girl. "You wouldn't have to come for the whole shoot. I'll be there for three weeks but why can't you get like a week? Don't you want to see me in a skimpy bikini?"

"Ali," Emily said with a regretful sigh because they'd been going round and round about this since Alison found out over week ago. "I would love to go with you but I can't."

Alison's teasing pout turned genuine and she released Emily's hand to clench her fingers in her lap. She'd spent six years without Emily and the thought of being without her for three weeks was making Alison nauseous. Just last week Alison had traveled to San Francisco for a four-day shoot that was scheduled months in advance and being away from Emily for just those four days made the blonde want to crawl out of her skin.

Music started blaring out of the patio speakers and Ruby bounced up to the table before grabbing Alison's arm. "Come on we're all gonna dance."

Several of the girls were already dancing on the grass to the left of the fire pit.

Alison shook her head. "Not tonight, kid. The pooches did a number on me. But you go have fun."

Ruby stuck her lower lip out in a pout and Emily wondered briefly if Alison taught her how to do it because it was very familiar. "It's my birthday, you can't deny me."

Alison scowled at the, now, fourteen-year-old just as Cece called over.

"Get off your ass, Ali, and get over here and dance."

Cece was dragging a scowling Jason toward the grass and a small chuckle escaped Emily's lips because it was apparently a family trait.

"You heard, Cece. Get off your ass, Ali," Ruby repeated as she danced in her spot beside Alison.

"Ruby, language," Nicole scolded and the girl smirked as she continued to tug at Alison. Touch by Little Mix started and Ruby squealed.

"I love this song. Please, Ali?"

"Alright," Alison snapped but with less heat than she would have used with most people as she yanked her arm away from the girl.

"Yes," Ruby squealed again as she ran around and grabbed Nicole's hand. "You too, Nicole."

Alison watched as Nicole let herself be dragged toward the grass and she reached for Emily's hand again as she stood up. "Come on, baby. If I have to do this, so do you."

Emily set her cup on the table and allowed her girlfriend to drag her out to the lawn where the rest of the party had congregated.

Emily watched as Alison began to move her hips in the same beat as the music. The brunette released her hand and gripped her hips, pressing against her back as she swayed her own in unison with the blonde.

Alison turned around and slid her arms over Emily's shoulder as she pressed against her girl just as a commotion came from the side yard. The blonde pulled away and turned to see what was going on. One of the bodyguards was struggling with a male figure Alison instantly recognized as Melanie's ex-boyfriend, Ethan. The seventeen-year old girl who was terrorized and stalked by her ex for the better part of two years had recently been relocated to a halfway house on the East coast for both her and the other residents of Fields House safety. Her scumbag ex was still in prison at the time. But apparently he was out now and, as predicted, had come back for her again.

All three dogs were barking and growling and snapping at the intruder as the guard struggled with him and Jason rushed over to assist. Melanie had once confessed that her ex was a meth addict and as Alison knew from experience it could often give a person was appeared to be superhuman strength. Ethan was already a large guy in his twenties and so she wasn't surprised the one guard was struggling with him. It was the main reason she insisted on multiple guards at the house.

"Where the hell is Gabe?" Nicole asked quickly as she turned to the teen beside her. "Shut that music off, Erin."

"Pepe, come here" Alison commanded sternly but the dog just continued to growl and bark at the intruder along with Frankie and Johnny. Frankie had latched onto his pant leg and was shaking his head as the thug tried to kick her.

"Where is she?" Ethan spat angrily as he continued to struggle against the two men holding him. "Melanie, get out here or I'm going to fucking kill you?!"

"Pepe," Alison commanded her dog again before turning her wide eyes to her girlfriend. "Em, can you get Ruby and the other girls inside please?"

Emily nodded quickly and rushed to wrangle the girls while Alison moved closer.

"You!" Ethan lunged toward Alison as she attempted to grab the dogs by their collars. "This is your fucking fault."

She stumbled back and landed on her ass just as Gabe and the guard from out front came rushing out of the house.

"Get back!" the cop barked as he ran past Alison.

"Is this that fucking creep?" Cece rushed over the help Alison up as Emily came barreling out of the house.

"Ali?"

"I'm fine, Em," Alison insisted as her girlfriend reached her and yanked her around so she could rake her eyes over her frantically to see if she was hurt.

Gabe and the two guards finally got Ethan onto the ground where Gabe was able to handcuff him while Jason and Cece managed to wrangle the dogs who were still growling and barking

"How the fuck did he get in here?" Alison snarled at Gabe, her eyes flashing furiously.

"He came over the wall beside the house," the original guard who caught him said. "He must have cut through the neighbors back yard."

"Jason, get those dogs in the house before I scream," Alison snapped in what was a very good imitation of a scream. Jason and Cece dragged the still agitated dogs toward the house. "Gabe, get him out of here. How the hell does he keep getting out? I want to press charges again."

Gabe nodded as he yanked Ethan off the ground and started shoving him toward the gate. Ethan struggled harder against them and then turned his menacing gaze toward Alison.

"Wherever you sent her I'll find her, bitch. And after I do, I'm coming back for you," he threatened and Alison just scoffed.

"You think you scare me, asshole? Please," she scoffed again. "I've stared down girls scarier than you."

He stopped struggling and stared at her coldly. "You and I aren't done, Blondie," he said his voice low and dangerous.

"Bring it on," she spat before turning and striding toward the house.

##############

Alison sat on the edge of the bed gingerly and released an aggravated sigh. She and Emily had just gotten home from Fields House and the disaster that had become Ruby's party. It took a couple of hours to get all the girls calmed down after Ethan crashed it and for additional security to arrive. At this rate she was going to go bankrupt trying to keep the girls safe from that psycho. Even though Alison knew he was in jail and wouldn't be getting out anytime soon she wasn't taking any chances. Nicole was right they were going to have to throw a fundraiser soon.

"I think I bruised my fucking ass."

Emily exited the bathroom in her shorts and tank top as Alison groaned as she shimmied out of her jeans.

"Let me look at it," the brunette said softly as she walked around the bed.

Alison's lips curved into a sultry grin as she kicked her pants away. "You wanna check out my ass, baby?"

"Ali, this isn't funny." Emily frowned as she reached for Alison's hands.

"No it isn't. Bruising your ass really hurts."

Emily pulled the blonde, who grunted softly, to stand. "Do you really think it was wise to bait him like that Ali?"

The brunette took Alison's place, sitting on the edge of the bed, and turned the blonde around.

"Probably not," Alison admitted. "But you know me, I can't help myself when people I care about are threatened."

Emily pushed Alison's t-shirt up and brushed her fingers over the skin above her tail bone. "I don't see any bruising," she murmured.

"Maybe you should kiss it better," Alison purred as she looked over her shoulder, her eyes twinkling.

Emily snorted softly as she looked up at the blonde. She kept her eyes on Alison's as she leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against the base of her spine.

Alison inhaled a shuddering breath. "Baby," she whispered as she turned to face Emily. She was so glad to be home with her mermaid and all she wanted to do was forget the dickhead who ruined the party and lose herself in her girl.

Emily gripped the hem of her shirt and pushed it up to reveal the blonde's abdomen. She leaned forward and pressed another soft kiss just above her panty line. Alison slid her fingers into the brunette's long glorious hair as she stepped closer and tilted Emily's head back.

Alison leaned down and pressed her lips to Emily's as the brunette gripped the outside of her thighs. The blonde moaned as Emily opened for her and she deepened the kiss instantly. She pushed Emily backward and the brunette shifted further on the bed as Alison climbed over her, straddling her hips and pressing down.

"Ali," Emily moaned into Alison's mouth as she slipped her fingertips beneath the back of Alison's panties. The blonde wiggled softly as she continued to kiss her mermaid soft and deep.

Alison rocked her hips gently, pressing down on her girl and grinding her mound against the brunette's. Emily bucked her hips upward as she sunk her fingers into soft flesh of Alison's ass.

The blonde pulled her lips away and sat up. She lifted her shirt over her head and flicked the front clasp of her bra, freeing her breasts, and she grinned as she saw her girl's eyes darken with lust. Emily immediately reached up and cupped the soft globes and Alison's head fell back with a low moan as she covered Emily's hands with her own.

The brunette squeezed her fingers and started rolling Alison's nipples. They both loved it when Emily teased her breasts. Emily because she'd been obsessed with them since she was fourteen and to have free reign with them was a dream come true for her. And Alison because of the way her girl worshipped them and because until Emily the blonde didn't know it was possible to orgasm from stimulation to her breasts alone.

"Em," Alison whimpered and leaned down to kiss her girl. "I think my bruised ass is gonna require me to be on top tonight," she smiled against Emily's lips when the brunette laughed and nodded her agreement.

Alison used any excuse to be the top. Although she very much enjoyed surrendering to Emily sometimes, reveling in the weight of her girl on top of her, she liked control. That was just Alison Fields.

Alison pushed up on her hands. "Lose the shirt, mermaid," she mumbled and then helped Emily to remove it. Once both women were topless, Alison settled on top of her girl and they both moaned softly.

"How did I ever live without this," Alison groaned. "Without you," she added as she buried her face in Emily's neck, swirling her tongue over the soft skin, tasting the thin sheen of sweat starting to form.

Emily slipped her hand between them and slid it down the front of Alison's panties, her fingertips seeking and finding the blonde's swollen clit. Alison sunk her teeth gently into the hollow of Emily's throat in response as she rocked her hips. Emily's body jerked softly and she turned her face into Alison's hair as it formed a curtain over both their faces.

"I love you, Ali," Emily whispered against her ear as her fingers teased the little bud before sliding her fingers lower and slipping them into Alison.

Alison whimpered and pressed down on her girl's fingers as she rocked her hips a little faster. She turned her face and captured Emily's lips again as she braced herself on one hand and slipped the other down between them. Two could play at this game.

The blonde's fingers dipped beneath Emily's sleep shorts and panties and a whispered "fuck" escaped Alison's lips as her fingers found her mermaid hot and wet.

"Ali," Emily moaned her girlfriend's name as she shifted and spread her legs to give Alison better access. Alison took the invitation and slipped her fingers lower, sliding first one and then a second finger into her girl as her thumb continued to tease the brunette.

Their kisses lengthened and deepened as both women bucked and rolled their hips as they pleasured each other.

Alison writhed on top of Emily and the sensation of her girl's breasts against her nipples made them ache and throb. Alison tore her lips away from Emily's pressed her hand into the mattress as she pushed up higher. Emily took the hand the was not buried inside the blonde and grasped Alison's breast. She lifted her head and wrapped her lips around her girlfriend's nipple.

Alison's entire body jerked and she thrust her fingers deep inside Emily, pumping them steadily into the warm depths. Emily swirled her tongue around Alison's nipple before flicking the hard bud in the same rhythm and speed as her fingers were flicking the blonde's clit.

"Em," Alison choked as her body convulsed, the combined stimulation sending her body into a hard shuddering orgasm. The pleasure consumed her for long seconds as her body clutched Emily's fingers, the sensation rolling through her body in long slow waves.

She panted against the top of Emily's head as the brunette continued to suckle her.

"Kiss me," she begged and Emily released her nipple and tilted her face up so Alison could capture her lips again. The blonde's fingers sped up and thrust deeper as she pressed down on her girl. Suddenly Alison pulled her lips away and pulled her hands out of Emily's body. She pushed back and off the bed, dropping to her knees beside it.

"Ali," Emily sat up shocked and surprised at the sudden movement and loss of Alison on and in her.

Alison grasped Emily's shorts and pulled them and her panties down and threw them across the room before diving between her thighs. The blonde yanked Emily to the edge of the mattress and buried her tongue inside her girl as she used her fingers to spread the brunette wide.

"Oh god," Emily cried out as she lifted her hips and bucked against Alison's face. She reached down and slid her fingers into Alison's hair, tugging on the long strands and making the blonde grunt before pulling Alison closer. When Alison wrapped her lips around Emily's clit and sucked hard, while flicking her tongue against the tip, that was all it took and Emily's orgasm slammed into her. She lifted her hips off the mattress and arched her back as her thighs shook around the blonde's head.

She felt Alison's tongue lashing against her before it was thrust inside her again and Emily's body shuddered as the pleasure overwhelmed her.

She lost track of how long her orgasm lasted but finally her hips fell to the mattress again and she felt Alison's tongue soften and the blonde's fingers flutter gently up and down her calves.

Emily threw her arm over her eyes and panted as she tried to catch her breath. Alison's lips brushed softly along the inside of her thighs before she moved slowly up her mermaid' body.

"I love you, my goddess," Alison murmured against Emily's lips when she reached them. Emily kissed her back softly and wrapped her arms around the blonde as she settled gently on top of her again.

A few minutes later Alison rolled to the side and settled on the mattress beside her mermaid, her eyes still closed.

"Are you alive there?" Emily asked with a soft laugh as she rolled onto her side and leaned on her elbow.

The blonde sighed tiredly. "I can't believe I have a five thirty call time tomorrow."
Emily looked over at the clock on the nightstand. It was almost ten thirty.

"You need get some sleep, love."

"I have to take Pepe to pee first," Alison said without opening her eyes.

"I've got him," Emily insisted as she sat up and looked for her pajamas. "You just get under the covers and go to sleep."

Alison just grunted but didn't move and Emily chuckled as she found her shirt on the floor beside the bed and her shorts hanging off the lamp on Alison's bureau. She slipped them on and then leaned down and pressed a kiss to the side of Alison's head.

"I'll be right back."

Emily walked down the stairs to find Pepe in his bed in the corner of the living room. The dog seemed to now have a sixth sense now about when to stay out of the bedroom, although most nights he makes it back into the room to his bed at the foot of Alison's.

"Come on, Pepe," Emily said as she shoved her feet into her sneakers before walking toward the kitchen and grabbing Pepe's leash. She walked back into the living room to find the dog sitting by the front door.

Emily pulled the door open, stopping in her tracks as she looked into three pairs of very familiar eyes.

"Emily Fucking Fields! What the hell have you done?"

Author's note: I'm unable to provide a definitive updating schedule for this but my goal is to have it finished by the end of the summer. When I went back and reread everything I realized I was much farther along in the story that I realized. It will probably another 3-4 chapters after this. I have several open stories that I also need to wrap up but my plan is to finish this one first. I think I caught all the typos but it's harder to do these days so please excuse any. If anyone sees anything glaring, please let me know.

Here is a short sneak peek at the next chapter…..

"Ali, wait," Emily pleaded breathlessly as the blonde's tongue swirled slowly around her belly button.

Alison growled with frustration and lifted her head. "I can't believe you're bringing this up when I'm going down on you." The blonde sat back on her heels and looked at Emily, seeing the distress in her eyes and realized she was not getting her mouth on her girl until they talked this out. "Neither one of us was celibate while we were apart, Em. Don't you remember saying that to me? Can't we just leave it at that?"

"I don't see the girls I was intimate with anymore, Ali. You see Cece all the time. You see Jack all the time. You see Holbrook all the time."

"Whoa, whoa, wait a sec. I never slept with Gabe."

"You didn't?"

"No. Em, I was never really involved with him. All of that was an act to trick Courtney."

"Then why did he transfer to the LAPD?"

"Not for me. I hadn't seen him since Rosewood. I never knew he transferred to LA. I got brought into the police station one day and when I was being booked he walked out of an office and recognized me."

"Why were you being booked."

"I had a disagreement with a cop over a speeding ticket."

"A disagreement?" Emily arched her brow and Alison scoffed.

"Do you really find that all that surprising considering how well you know me?"

"So he's never tried to pursue you?"

"I didn't say that but nothing ever happened between us. And who I was with in the past means nothing, Em."

Emily looked thoughtful and Alison climbed back up over her.

"Only you," Alison murmured as she brushed her lips over Emily's throat.

Emily sighed and arched her back in response. Her nipples brushed against Alison's breasts as they hung over her.

"No one else, ever," Alison breathed against the shell of Emily's ear before biting down gently.

Emily shuddered and hiked her leg over the back of Alison's thigh as she pulled the blonde down on top of her. She turned her face and took Alison's lips in a kiss that conveyed the depth of her feelings. Alison relaxed on top of her mermaid, mewling and purring against Emily's lips as the kiss lengthened and deepened.
Emily's hand slid down Alison's back and gripped her ass and with the blonde sufficiently distracted, Emily used her foot to push and roll them both over so she was on top. She pushed Alison's thighs wide and settled between them before reluctantly pulling her lips away, trapping Alison's hands beside her head.

"I'm on top this morning, Alison," Emily said, her eyes dark as she used her girlfriend's full name.

"Yes," Alison breathed, shuddering as she felt those words settle low and deep between her thighs. Emily very rarely used her full first name and usually it was when she was in trouble. But there were those even rarer times when her girl used it when she wanted to take control. Alison trembled because those times, when she gave up control, surrendered willingly and eagerly, gave every part of herself over to the woman she loved that Alison knew, without one shred of hesitation or insecurity, that she and Emily were made to be together.

Thanks again for reading and please leave a reply if you enjoyed it. Reviews make my heart happy.