Chapter 1

Alison was working on grading some papers at the kitchen table when the buzzing of her phone broke her concentration. She stretches as she picks it up and accepts the call. "Hello?" She says with a small smile breaking across her face.

"Hi, gorgeous. Did I interrupt anything important?" He asks with a small chuckle.

"No, just grading the last of my classes essays." She says with a bit of yawn to her voice.

"That exciting, huh?" He says in a joking manner.

"Well you know, you can only read the same theory six or seven times before it becomes a bit stale," She says as she wipes her eyes as she writes a big red D- on the paper in front of her. "How has your night been so far?"

"Just your run of the mill night in the OR..." He says as the sounds of people milling about fill the room. "I might be a little bit late tonight." He says tiredly.

"It's fine sweetheart, I've got Pepe here to protect me... isn't that right boy," She says as she bends over to pet the sleeping fur-ball who rolls overexposing his belly as he snores happily.

"I'd feel better if you had a gun or..." He says as he is cut off.

"No... no guns. We have been over this." She says in a no room for argument tone as she cuts him off.

"Fine... but I don't like the thought of you in that house all alone. Pepe isn't as young as he used to be." he says letting it go, "but I was thinking... How about a self-defense class then?"

"I will think about it." She says as she opens the next paper and scans it. "But I told you. you don't need to worry, I am perfectly safe in my own home." She says with a strained tone to her voice.

Dr. Hughes, you are needed in post-op bay 2. Dr. Hughes, post-op bay 2. A voice said over the loudspeaker.

"Sorry babe I got to go, please really think about it, okay?" He says with a bit of a pleading quality to his voice. "I love you." He says kindly.

"I will," She says a bit reluctant, " you too." She adds as she ends the call.

"He didn't mean it," she says to Pepe as she pets his soft fur, "you're still my baby." Pepe grunts as he stretches and gives her a goofy smile. "Do ya wanna go outside?" She asks in an excited voice as Pepe gets up a little slow and prances happily. She hooks the leash to his collar as she affectionately ruffles his fur. "Come on boy." She calls as she walks toward the back door.

They step out into the cool night air and Pepe excitedly sniffs for a bit as Alison looks around the backyard becoming a bit nostalgic. She remembers all the times she snuck out and cut through the Hastings backyard, it seemed like ages ago. If you would have told her back then that she would still be in Rosewood all these years later she would have said you were crazy. Here she was teaching 9th and 12th grade English while the other girls were spread across the country. While she had tried to keep in touch with the other four women it had become harder as the years went by and schedules became crazier. Emily had all but fell off the face of the earth. No one had heard from her since her father had passed almost 2 years ago in a roadside bombing. Alison had tried calling and texting her nonstop for months after she heard the depressing news but sadly gave up after hearing nothing.

A low growl from Pepe startled her from her thoughts as fear gripped her chest and made her whole body shake. "Wh-Who's there?" She calls tentatively as Pepe stands guard. The sound of branches breaking comes through the bushes causing her heart to hammer in her chest. Just as her mind starts imagining all the terrible things that could be hiding and waiting for her a squirrel shoots out from the bushes as Pepe tears off after it. The small creature scurries up a large tree as the collie jumps and barks at it. "Almost got him." She tells him with a smile.

She couldn't believe it had already been almost five years since the true "A" had been unmasked and yet any sound in the dark has her completely terrified. Maybe Skylar was right about self-defense classes, she needs to find a way to get her power back. Pepe finally finishes his business and they head back in the house. She makes sure to lock the back door before heading to the master bedroom for the night.

After getting ready for bed she lays down and pats the bed for Pepe to join her. He curls up beside her as she hugs him and lays her head on his soft fur. As she tries to fall asleep her mind keeps wondering over the last few years. When Wren had been unmasked as the mastermind of the whole "A" debacle her life changed dramatically. She had been hit with a stray bullet from Wren's gun as the police tackled him and spent almost a month in the hospital recovering. Her father found one of the best surgeons to make sure her scarring was minimal. That is where Skylar had come in, he was charming and witty and had quite a way with words. It had taken him a while but he had finally talked her into a date and she slowly felt herself starting to open up to him and his kindness. He was actually the one who talked Ali into trying to mend things with Charlotte. And was she glad that he did, they had become so close these last 6 months. Charlotte was the only family she had after Jason and her father just up and left after Charlotte was unmasked. She talked to her father every few months but normally it was just him wanting her to do something or get some information from her, Jason, on the other hand, had been radio silent. Neither one was willing to forgive her and try to rebuild their relationships but Alison saw the good in her... just like Emily use to see the good in me. Alison thought to herself with a mirthless laugh.

She tried not to dwell too long on thoughts of the brunette or her chest would start to ache. The last she had heard Emily had dropped out of school and joined the military. After being in the dollhouse and the last semester of high school Emily just started shutting everyone out. She and Paige had gotten back together when they ran into each other at school. Her blood boiled when she thought about it for too long, how come Paige got so many second chances with her mermaid when they didn't even get a first chance? Oh well... at least I have Skylar. She thinks to herself with a forced feeling of comfort. Pepe's rhythmic snoring starts to make her eyes heavy as she finally drifts off to sleep with her head on his belly.

-x-X-x-

The next morning Alison makes her way to the kitchen to cook something for her and Skylar before she has to head to work. As she's working on some eggs Pepe lifts his head from the bed he is laying in by the back door and lets out a low growl as Skylar enters the kitchen.

"It's just me boy!" He says with a chuckle.

Pepe lays down with a hrmph, as he keeps his on eye on the man warily.

Skylar makes his way behind Alison and wraps his arms around her waist and she slightly stiffens at first before relaxing a bit. "So have you given the self-defense classes any more thought?" He asks kindly.

"A little but I would prefer to take private classes." She says not wanting to make it too easy on him.

"I think that is doable." He says with confidence. "Does that mean you will go...?" He asks trying to mask his enthusiasm.

"Under one condition..." She says turning out of his hold.

"Anything!" He says with a delighted smile as he starts making two cups of coffee.

"The instructor has to be female." She says in a firm no room for arguments tone.

"I can do that..." He answers less sure of himself as he moves to the fridge to grab the cream.

"You don't sound so sure." She says with her trademark DiLaurentis sassiness as she puts some bacon down on the skillet.

"I will find you the best female self-defense instructor in Pennsylvania... guaranteed!" He says sounding a bit more confident.

"Uh-huh, we'll see." She says as she flips the bacon and starts plating the food.

Skylar brought the two mugs over to the kitchen table as Alison set the plates of food down. They both sit and start eating as Pepe sits beside Alison waiting expectantly.

"So what time did you get home last night?" Alison asks as she sips her coffee.

"It was a little after midnight I believe." He says picking up some bacon.

"No wonder I didn't hear you come in." She says as she picks up her fork.

"Yeah, it was a pretty crazy night. We had a patient who hemorrhaged and another who's blood pressure kept spiking out of control but we got it under control. How did the grading go?" He asks kindly.

"There were a few really great papers with some interesting viewpoints, unfortunately, the majority were pretty poorly written. Sometimes it feels like I'm reading the same paper over and over." She says in slight frustration.

"I'm sorry to hear that dear."He says as he takes out his phone that started buzzing. He starts typing out a message and it buzzes again.

Alison rolls her eyes in frustration, Skylar is always so wrapped up in his work. She used to think it was endearing but now she finds it more irritating. She finishes her breakfast and gives Pepe a little piece of bacon.

"If you keep feeding him scraps he's only going to get more overweight..." He says in a bit of a scolding tone.

Alison shoots daggers at him, "He didn't mean it, baby, he's just a mean old man." She says knowing that it bothers him a bit about their ten year age difference.

"I better get going," She says as she grabs the plates and sets them in the sink. "I don't want to be late for homeroom, you know how unsupervised 9th graders can be."

"I'll see you this evening with a name and time for your first self-defense class!" He says with a big ass grin as he kisses her.

"M-hmm, like I said we'll see." She says with a smug smile.

"Love you, Ali." He tells her as she grabs her purse and briefcase.

"You too." She says as she picks up her keys and heads out the front door.

-x-X-x-

Alison was on edge all day at school, every little noise made her jump. She got especially freaked out when a group of boys came running down the hall in black hoodies pushing past her. When she entered her classroom her heart stopped for a brief moment when all her students' heads were down and covered in black hoods. She gasps as she backs out of her classroom and her mind flashes back to all the horrible things A had done to her and her friends over the years.

"Ms. DiLaurentis?" A gentle voice asks. "Are... are you alright?"

Alison recognized the voice from her freshman English class. "Y-Yeah, I'm alright Addie."

Addie noticed the classroom of students with hoodies on. "Stupid senior pranks." She says gently. "Are you sure you are alright?" She asks concerned.

"Yeah, I forgot that it was prank week that's all." She said taking a deep breath.

"I better get back to class... have a good day Ms. D." She says with a kind smile.

"You too." She says as she heads back into her classroom.

-x-X-x-

Skylar decided to call a few different boxing gyms locally trying to find a female instructor. So far he wasn't having much luck at all. He decided to look online hoping to find something promising. One caught his attention and it wasn't too terribly far from Rosewood. It was highly rated for their self-defense classes and another plus was that one of the trainers was female.

"Thank you for calling Double G's Gym. This is Frank, how can I help you?" An older Italian man says through a thick accent.

"Yes, my name is Dr. Skylar Hughes and I am looking to sign my fiancee up for self-defense classes." He says kindly.

"That is wonderful, we have two trainers that are both very qualified," Frank explains.

"Outstanding, your gym is one of the few who has a female who teaches self-defense. I actually was wondering if she does private lessons?" He asks inquisitively.

"Yes, she does actually." He says happily.

"Great, what kind of experience does she have?" Skylar asks curiously.

"Her name is Avery Price and she has been an MMA fighter for twenty years. And she has been teaching self-defense at my gym for fifteen years." He says pride in his voice.

"Sounds great, my fiancee has a short day next Wednesday would that work?" The doctor asks with a spark of hope.

"Sounds great," He says with a smile in his voice. "I look forward to meeting her next week Dr. Hughes."

-x-X-x-

Alison was finishing up the chicken for the salads she was making for her and Skylar as she heard the front door open and Pepe halfheartedly growled from his bed next to the kitchen table. She felt uneasy as she held her breath waiting for another hooded figure to enter the kitchen. Skylar pushed the door open with a smile and Alison breathed out in relief.

"How are you gorgeous?" He asks kissing her on the cheek as he grabs a piece of chicken.

She swats his hand playfully. "That is for the salads, now help me by setting the table."

"Alright... alright." He says teasingly as he grabs the plates and silverware.

After everything is set Alison brings over two glasses and pours some wine in each before sitting down.

"So how was your day darling?" He asks as he takes a bite of his food.

"Not too great actually. I forgot it was senior prank week." She explains as she trembles slightly at the thought of A.

Skylar notices her change in demeanor. "Have you given the self-defense classes anymore thought?" He asks trying not to push too much.

"Yeah I have actually," She says resolutely, "I will do it," she says with a small glint in her eye, "but as I told you it has to be a female instructor."

"Glad to hear it, I found a great gym in Philly that was highly recommended." He says with a bright smile. "Also the instructor is female and she does private lessons."

"Thank you, Sky." She says returning his smile. "So when is my first class?"

"Next Wednesday afternoon." He says taking a sip of wine.

-x-X-x-

Skylar was sitting at his desk working on paperwork when his phone buzzed on his desk.

"Hello?" He answers politely as he holds the phone with his shoulder so she can continue typing.

"Dr. Hughes, I'm so sorry to bother you but unfortunately Avery won't be able to teach your fiancee," Frank said apologetically.

"That's too bad. Is she alright?" He asks concerned.

"She was injured in her match this weekend and she broke a few ribs." He explains with his thick Italian accent. "I have another trainer that would be more than willing to fit her in. He is also an MMA fighter."

"Do you have any other female trainers?" Skylar asks cautiously. "She has trust issues with men."

"I have a female boxing instructor who I might be able to convince to teach her." He says as he drums his fingers thinking.

"Tell her I will pay double the going rate." He says pleadingly.

"I'm sure it won't be a problem," Frank says confidently despite his reservations.

-x-X-x-

After her last class of the day, Alison slipped into the teachers' lounge to grab her bag and change quickly into her gym clothes. She walks out to her car, puts the address of the gym in her GPS, and turns the radio up, and blasts Adele's Rolling in the Deep as she sang at the top of her lungs. After 30 minutes, she pulls up to a building that sort of looks like a warehouse with a rusty sign that reads Golden Gloves "Double G" Gym.

She makes her way through the double doors into the main part of the gym. There are a few rows of pouching bags and speed bags on the left side and a few guys were next to the ring that ran along the other side of the gym who were jumping rope. Along the back wall, there were a few weight benches and freestanding weights. One of the large garage doors beside the ring was open and a woman was flipping a tractor tire in the yard while another was using a workout rope.

As she passes the desk Frank smiles warmly at her. "Welcome to Double G! I'm Frank how can I help you?"

"Yes, Alison DiLaurentis and I have an appointment for self-defense classes." She says with a bright smile.

"Ah, yes. The classroom is this way." He says as he leads her through the middle of the gym to a long hallway, and then a small door on the right. He opens the door for her and smiles as he introduces the brunette, who is facing away from the door, to her.

"Alison this is Emily Fields."

AN: Sorry I have been MIA for so long, life got super crazy and depression is a b*tch! This story has been 3+ years in the making. I would literally write like a paragraph or two every few months. The story is about 95% written, it just needs some editing and a few rewrites. I am still working on how this one will end. Please let me know what you all think. I will try to update at least once a week. I am also looking for a beta, so DM if you are interested or know someone who might be.