I own nothing. Everything in this story belongs to the creator of Orange is the New Black and Netflix

Summary: This is a fic idea I had. I wanted to explore an option where Alex was released after the Kubra trial. She is safe. However Piper still lied for her and was given more time. Piper hurt the way that she was changed. She refused to speak or communicate with Alex. With Piper now well out of prison and making a name for herself, Alex is now faced with the challenge of getting Piper to finally talk to her.

Piper's POV

Dreaming

I'm in the back of the van heading to court to testify against Kubra with Alex. I'd been relieved to see her. I'd wanted to hug her so bad, but wasn't allowed the contact. She had filled me in on why we were in Chicago together. She begged me to lie at the Kubra trial. I told her I would think about it but, I wasn't sure if I could.

It was silent in the van and she wouldn't make eye contact with me. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to let her know I couldn't do what she was asking.

"I don't know if I can do it."

"What?" Alex spits in irritation at my admission

"My lawyer said that Kubra is going away no matter what." I defend myself

"Did you not hear everything I said? She's irritated. I get it but I can't do it.

"When you told me nothing bad was going to happen?" I say giving her a look

She returns the look immediately. "How long have you been holding on to that one?"

"We've got to go in united on this. It will be a red flag if you say you knew him and I say that I don't. they will know that I am lying."

"Maybe we should both just be honest." I try

It is then that Alex jerks her hands forward. The handcuffs keep her in place and from moving further. She is looking at me and pleading with her eyes.

"This is not the time to take some moral high ground."

This irritates me. "You know, I only seem to be faced with these extreme moral choices when I am with you."

Alex smirks. "Exciting right?"

I am annoyed I wanna smack her. But I cannot so I do the only thing that I can. I turn my head away from her.

"Look I wish that I could do this all over again. But, I can't. Okay? This is the only way I can keep you safe now. You have to do what I am telling you." Alex states

"Or what we're over?" I Challenge

Alex shakes her head. "No. I want to be your prison wife." She states with another smirk.

I look at her as if she has lost her fucking mind. But, as I am searching her face she is joking but also seems serious. This gives me hope, that is the worst thing. Hope. But, I am still annoyed by her joking tone. "I'm glad you can make jokes. But, Alex. I need to do the right thing. For a change. I have to. Truthfully you can't keep me safe either way." I say with finality.

The look on her face breaks my fucking heart. I didn't say it to be mean. It's just the truth. But, that nasty seed of hope was planted. She wanted to still be together. So once on the stand I lied. I claimed to have only been there for Alex. Once I was done with my testimony I was placed in a holding cell. Alone. I knew Alex was testifying but when the door opened and she exited I yelled for her.

"Alex, I did what you said."

"Listen Piper." She says with her hands up in surrender as she walks towards me. Her lawyer is with her and she in normal fucking clothes? I start to get nervous.

"Everything happen so fast."

"What's going on?"

"I had to tell the truth. My lawyer said that…"

I cut her off. "Are you kidding?" I watch as her lawyer then starts to lead her out away from me.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Where are you going? Are you getting out?"

"I am so sorry. I'm sorry Piper. I need to explain to her…" shes cut off by her lawyer pushing her to exit. I am now alone and scared and angry. I do the only thing I can think of I scream at her.

"What the fuck did you do Alex? What the fuck did you do?" Fuck you, Alex. Fuck you!"

I awaken with a start. I am confused. I hate those dreams, but I have them every now and then. I look around then I realize I am on my couch. I look at the clock and it's a little after 3am. I must have fallen asleep as soon as I hit the couch. I had worked late at the store to fill an order. I had gotten home a little before two. I get up and start towards my bathroom. I strip my clothing on my way leaving it all over the floor. I use the toilet, wash my face brush my teeth and enter my room. I throw on a t-shirt, then hit my bed. I set my alarm and then I am out again.

It's Friday morning and my alarm clock is going off. It's 7am and I hit the button to turn it off and I am up. Grabbing workout clothes I go to the bathroom. I use it, wash my hands, and face and then dress in the workout gear. After my shoes are on I take my gym ID and apartment key and I am off. Putting my earbuds in I start music and then I am off, and I run the three blocks to the gym every morning as a warm up. Once at the gym I swipe my ID to get in. I then do a workout cycle. Today is all about cardio and legs. After a thirty minute circuit I am finished. I walk out of the gym and decide to walk back to the apartment for a shower. Upon my return I shower quickly. I decide to on a pair of skinny jeans, and a blue button up top. I apply my make up as I always have. Light mascara, little blush, and some lip gloss. I then decided to clean before I am due at work.

It's almost midmorning and I look around my spotless apartment. I took my time cleaning the apartment before leaving for work. Satisfied I grabbed my purse and off I was. I co-own a small soap shop in downtown Brooklyn. After my release Polly and I reconciled, I've been out of prison now for a little over two years. After three months of looking for a job with zero luck. Interviews always ended once they realized I was an ex-con. I had gone to Polly's to find her crying. She'd just been laid off from her job. After a few glasses of wine and lots of talking she brought up wanting to give Popi another shot. I having no luck agreed. So we opened the store, we put together sample baskets, as a promotional idea. We shank every dime we had into it before our grand opening. It was a gamble, but, it paid off majorly. The business flourished. We were not only in our own store, but, also a larger store. Barney's had given us a contract. It returned our investment and then some. We have employees, and she is on a vacation with Larry, and Finn in Florida at Disney. They are due back early next week. Once she is back I am heading to Cabo for two weeks, alone. I cannot wait. I am already packed. Fuck, Alex. I use to need people around, she pointed that out more than once. Thanks to her I trust few, and do things alone. I've become a loner.

After making sure I locked up, I started walking. I only lived a few blocks from the store. As I approached the coffee shop my phone went off. I stopped on the sidewalk to dig my phone from my purse. I picked it up looking at the caller id I recognize the number as the stores number so I quickly answer. "Hello" I answer

"Chapman, where the hell are you, eh?" a voice questions.

I chuckle as I recognize the voice immediately. "I am on my way Nikki. It isn't 11, yet. Is everything okay? Please tell me you are at the store."

"Yes, I am at the store. Fuck no, I am not okay I am hungover. Last night was crazy at the club, I crashed with an old friend. I must have grabbed the wrong phone this morning." Nikki sighs into the phone

I laugh. "Want me to bring you a coffee?"

"Could you, please?" Nikki says

"Of course I will. I'll be there in fifteen minutes, twenty tops." I say

"You're a life saver Chapman. Thank you." Nikki says as she then hangs up.

I put my phone back into my purse and I enter the coffee shop. I roll my eyes at the girl behind the counter. Jade is her name. She always flirts with me. Although I find her attractive, I never give her the time of day. I do hook-ups sometimes, but I won't let myself get into another relationship. Not since Stella, and the one who I hate to think about. I have a reminder of what Stella did on my fucking arm in white fucking ink. Which shockingly is super expensive to remove. I am still not over what Alex did to me in Chicago.

She got out leaving me alone. Of course she tried to contact me, but, I threw every letter she sent to me away. After the incident with Pennsatucky, I was placed in Shu, I was then sent to Chicago as a witness for the Kubra trial. Alex begged me to lie. I did. She didn't and was released because of it. Kubra was put away and later killed in prison. Apparently he had pissed off a bigger kingpin. So he and I were the only two to serve time. For lying under oath, I got an additional six mouths added to my sentence. Nikki was released six months after I was. For good behavior. Apparently she sold out Luscheck. She gained her freedom and he is now rotting in prison. She stayed with me for a while until Lorna was released. They are together, and live in a small apartment together. Lorna works as a receptionist at a local no-tell hotel. Nikki works with me, I gave her a job after her release. Of course it took a lot of begging and pleading with Polly. I owed Nikki. After all she helped me through a lot after I returned to Litchfield and filled her in on what Alex had done. Her betrayal. Nikki is doing great, and working on opening a bar, of her own, when she isn't helping me run the store. I am so fucking proud of her.

Alex also actually had the nerve to call me a few months after my release. As soon as I heard her voice my blood ran cold. She was being sickeningly pleasant, asked if we could meet up so we could talk. I calmly asked her how she got my number. She told me Nikki had given it to her. I then calmly told her to never fucking call me again. I hung up after that, and blocked the number. Nikki and I had a huge argument. She told me I needed to talk to her, that Alex was sorry for what she had done, and that I didn't fully understand everything that happen. Nikki just wanted she and I to work things out. I fought back, stating that it would just be more bullshit and that I wasn't ready. She pointed out some harsh truths, that it did matter, that I was stuck because I hadn't moved on. I told her it didn't matter, that I was just done. All she wanted was to be able to spend time with both of us again. Nikki tried to plead with me but I didn't budge. We didn't speak for some time, but, we patched things up. However as per our agreement we don't talk about her. EVER.

Finally I am at the front of the counter ready to place my order. "Good Morning Piper. The usual?" Jade asks. I nod. "Add a large black coffee to that, cream and sugar on the side." I say.

Jade punches a few number into the register. "Total today is $4.75. You could however have it for free if you agree to go on a date with me. What do you say?"

I roll my eyes and grab a $10 from my purse. "No thanks. I don't date. Just the coffee and pastries, please." I say putting the ten in her hand.

"Shame. If you ever change your mind or just want a hook up. I"d be down." Jade finished as she looked me up and down and then quickly retrieves my change.

"I'll keep that in mind." I add as I shove the change into my purse.

Soon after I have my order in hand and I am on my way.

I walk into the store the bell above the door signals my arrival. Nikki is at the counter with her back to me. She is on the phone. "You've got my phone, and I have yours." I hear her say

"It's not funny." Nikki says as she turns around and spots me. Her eyes are huge.

"Lorna?" I ask her as I place the coffee and food on the counter.

She shakes her head no. "Look I've got to go. My boss is here. But, I need my phone back. Lorna and I will be at the club later again…" Nikki trails off as whoever on the other end starts speaking to her.

"You can. But, I am telling you. It is not a good idea, my boss is here. Just wait until tonight. Or how about I meet you for lunch. My break is at noon. The Diner down the street, from the store." Nikki says to the other person on the phone.

"Okay, see you then." Nikki says as she then hangs up the phone.

"How was your night?" I ask handing her coffee with the side of cream and sugar.

Nikki smiles as she just takes a plain black coffee. She takes a few sips before she answers. "It was amazing, Chapman. You should come out with us."

"And be the third wheel with you, and Lorna. No thanks." I say as throw the bag with sugar and cream onto the counter and I take a drink from my latte.

Nikki rolls her eyes. "It's not just me and Lorna. Boo, Taystee, Poussey, and a few other are there. They ask about you sometimes. Come out with Lorna and I, tonight, you haven't been out with us in months."

I laugh as I shake my head. "I'll think about it." I say as I turn. "Give me twenty minutes to do the office paper work. Then you're good to go to lunch and get your phone back. I make my way to my office. I sit down and go over the numbers from the previous day as I fire up the computer. Within a few minutes I check everything. Barney's is asking for another order. I smile because I knew it was coming. It is why I didn't go to the club with Nikki last night. I filled the order I knew would be in the system from Barney's today, last night. After all I have the ability to see sales through their systems. I respond to the email and tell them I will have the order to them in a few days. I check a few more things before I go out into the store. Nikki has just finished ringing up a customer. "Thank you, and come again. eh." Nikki says.

With a wave the customer is off. "Whose bed did you crawl out of this morning, and why do you have this person's phone?" I question with a smirk as I come to stand beside her behind the counter. I take another sip of my latte.

Nikki gasps in mock outrage. " Ay, I'll have you know I didn't crawl out of a bed, okay. I crawled off of a couch, eh. Lorna and I had a disagreement last night at the club. She left leaving me at the club and I crashed with another friend on their couch. We have the same phone. Honest mistake Chapman." Nikki finishes with a shrug.

"I'm kidding. Relax. Lorna called to vent last night. Said she had gone off on you after a waitresses at the club tried to give you her number, thus making Lorna jealous, said she accused you of cheating. Asked me my opinion. I sided with you by the way and told her she was being a psycho pants. That you loved her too much to cheat on her. That you couldn't help who flirted with you, or tried giving you numbers." I say as I place my hand on her shoulder.

Nikki laughs. "She got so mad. Threw her drink at the waitress. Called her a whore. Then told me not to bother coming home. She was gone before I could even say anything or catch her."

I nod in understanding. "Do I know the friend you stayed with last night?" I question.

Nikki stiffens but relaxes quickly. Looking me in the eye she speaks quickly. "No, you don't know her."

"Oh, so it's a girl. Is she hot?" I ask.

Nikki stiffens again. "She's not horrible to look at." Nikki is looking at my cup. She cracks a huge grin. "Say, Blondie. Have you had anything interesting happen this morning?"

I think over my morning. "I went to the gym, came home, showered cleaned, went to the coffee shop, and came here. So nothing interesting. Why?" I ask as I then start to look at my cup. It is then that I spot it. Jade left her name and number on the side of my cup. I roll my eyes. "Mother fucker."

Nikki is also inspecting it. "Mouth Chapman. Relax, it's just a number. It's not like you have to use it. Although it is nice to see that Jade, isn't backing down anytime soon."

"Maybe I should just do it. Get it over with. Want do you think?" I turn asking Nikki who now has an even bigger grin on her face.

"Bring her to the club tonight, have a good time, take her home fuck her and then be done." Nikki suggests.

I pull out my phone and add the number into it. "I'll think about it. She's not really my type." is all I say as I tuck my phone back into my pocket. I quickly realize my mistake and I look to Nikki who is grinning wickedly. I correct my previous statement immediately.

"I'll think about bringing her to the club. Not the other part." I shudder as I look at the time and Nikki is laughing at my expense. I then look at the clock. It's almost noon. "Go to lunch."

Nikki is still laughing as she grabs her purse from under the counter and walks towards the door. "I, I Chapman. Want me to bring you any lunch back?"

"Salad, please." I say to her retreating figure as she starts to exit. She doesn't answer but she gives me a thumbs up which tells me she heard me.

I am now alone in my store. I get to work restocking the shelves.


Alex's POV

I am sat in a diner waiting on Nikki. Since Piper was at her store I had to meet Nikki here. I wish to a God I do not believe in for Piper to stop freezing me out. Damn Nikki, I cannot believe she took my phone. Fucking IPhone, everyone these days has one. I had several meetings this morning and a few conference calls. I really needed my phone. I make a mental not to get a different color phone case. I at least had my Ipad, and both are synced with all my contacts. I am an importer, this time on a legal scale. I buy, sell, and trade things that people want. I look to the door in time to see my ratty mop headed friend bounding towards me.

I smile as she approaches and takes a seat. I quickly slide her phone across the table towards her. "First thing's first. Give me my phone." I chuckle

"Cool, your tits Vause. Hi, by the way." Nikki says as she slides my phone across the table.

"Hi. I fixed my name in your contacts." I raise an eyebrow in challenge.

Nikki laughs. "Come on what is wrong with Hurricane? I've called you that for years, now." I watch as she opens her contact and find me immediately. "Just Alex. This is so boring." Nikki says looking at me.

I raise my eye brow higher and cross my arms over my chest. "I know and you know I hate that nickname. Imagine the look on my face when the phone went off only to see that across the screen, to answer it and find you on the other end."

Nikki laughs more, her look then darkens. "Well, you are. Some of the things you've touched have never been the same. Quite like a certain blonde we both know. You've done a number on that one. You need to find a way to fix it Vause."

At this point I am annoyed and hurt. It's not like I haven't tried. I sent well over a hundred letters to her while she was still in prison, even tried to contact her after her release. I scoff and bang my hand off the table. She's just so damn stubborn. "Don't you think I've tried? She freezes me out, she didn't answer any of the letters I sent her, and she will not answer my calls. Not to mention when she's gonna be around I'm told not to come round with all of you. You told me to stay away. I've wanted to approach her in public. You stopped me everytime, saying she wasn't ready. Truth be told I don't think she ever will be, but then I don't know, you know her now more than I do so tell me. What the hell should I do? Because the only thing I can think of at this point is to ignore all of you, and show up anyway. She either gets annoyed and leaves, or finally talks to me."

Nikki lets out a sigh as she looks at me. "Straight girls. They fuck you up every time."

I shake my head. "From what you've told me she isn't into dick anymore." I wrinkle my nose disgusted with just having said the word.

Nikki grins wickedly. "Hence why I keep you out of her sight." She says with a laugh.

I roll my eyes. "Seriously, did you just call me a dick?"

"Yes I did. Because you are. Besides you may have a point. I did try to call her from your phone today and it went straight to voicemail. I think she blocked your number."

Then the waiter arrives before I can answer and we order. I order a patty melt and side salad, Nikki orders she gets the same but goes for fries instead of a salad. However as the waiter goes to walk away Nikki stops him. "Sir, I also need a salad to go, for my boss. Any suggestions on what I should get?" he stammers out a few. I wrinkle my nose. I already know Piper will hate them. Nikki then looks to me. I then look at the waiter. "Do you have a cobb salad?"

"Yes, we do. It is really good. It comes with fried chicken chunks."

I look at Nikki, she is silently asking for help. I sigh. "Order that. Switch the fried chicken out for grilled and you're golden." I then take a drink of water.

Nikki orders and the waiter is off to put our orders in. I look at Nicky. "How is she?"

Nikki grabs her water a takes a long drink, her eye scanning the room as she think about her answer. Setting her glass down, she shrugs. "She's still stubborn, become fiercely independent. Will not see anyone more than twice. She goes to the gym, comes to work, and does most things alone. She's really excited about a trip to Cabo she is taking. Wash, rinse, repeat. That's the new Piper in a nut shell."

I shake my head in shame. The Piper I knew before would never travel alone. "Does she ever ask about me?" I can't help myself I need to know. I look down and trace my love is pain tattoo with my finger. I look up making eye contact with her.

"No. After the fiasco where I gave you her number. She and I agreed not to talk about you." Nikki says with a sad smile. "But, she was fishing for information this morning. Lorna called her last night. She wanted to know if she knew who I crashed with, asked if you were hot."

"And?" I ask I can't help it.

"I told her she didn't know you, and that you weren't horrible to look at."

"Do you think I should try to approach her in a public place?"

"I don't know Vause that could be risky. I mean she is finally off probation, so if she hits you she won't go back to prison. But, I wouldn't promise she won't murder you. You remember her temper. That is one thing that hasn't changed."

The waiter returns with our meal. I wait until he is walking away to respond.

"Nik, I think it's my only option."

"Maybe we should wait until Polly is back from vacation, and ask her?"

I roll my eyes. "Fuck, Polly Hobby. That fucking bitch won't agree to shit. She still fucking hates me. She won't let me near Piper either. She fucking tossed me out on my ass at Popi's grandopening before Piper could see me. I cannot believe Piper still talks to her after everything. I mean she fucking married Larry."

Nikki holds her hands up in surrender. "Alright we won't involve her. If you want to do this in a public place, eh, you may have your chance. She agreed to think about coming to the club tonight. If she does that would be your chance. What do you think? Ya?"

I smile. "Perfect."

"I'll let you know what she decides. But keep in mind and be warned, she is still very unpredictable at times." Nikki finishes.

I nod in silent agreement. We table talk of Piper, finish our meal together, talking about life and our other aspects of it.

After we hug and say our goodbyes. Nikki promises to keep me informed on the plans for tonight. Piper or no Piper tonight I was still coming. It was time she and I talked. She wouldn't answer letters, she wouldn't answer the phone, and so face to face would have to do. I was determined. She needed to hear me out.


PIPER'S POV

Since Nikki has gone to lunch the store has been quite busy. Thankfully the rush has seemed to slow down. I look around the store and I smile. It is then that my phone goes off. I know the ringtone immediately it's Polly.

"Hey, Pol."

"Hey, P. How are things?"

"Good. Barney's placed an order to be filled. I pretty much filled it last night. Store has been steady this morning."

"Oh god P. I am so sorry. We were hoping that order wouldn't come until after I returned and before your vacation."

"Pol, it is alright. We did some of it before you left. I just finished it last night. Now I am just waiting for Nikki to get back from lunch so I can box it up and call them to come and get it. Anyway how is my godson and Disney? Are you all having fun?"

"We are having a blast! Thank you for making us do this. Finn, he is good. Has been so excited it is hard to keep up with him. Finn is currently off with Larry on Splash Mountain."

I laugh. "Kid always has loved the water."

"Yes, he has. Listen P, promise me that you'll do something fun tonight. After filling that order, which must have taken some time."

"It did. But, okay. Nikki has been begging me to come out to the club with them tonight."

"Good, do it Piper. Please."

"Alright I will. I won't be out late though. I promised Cal and Neri I'd watch Clair." I laugh. I was already planning on it. A night of dancing and a few drink sounded delightful. I look to see more customer entering the store. "Pol I gotta go. Customers just walked in."

"Alright, have fun tonight. See you Sunday." Polly finishes and we both hang up.

I tend to the customers. As I am about finished with them twenty minutes later, Kira an associate come in for work, and Nikki returns. We make eye contact and smile at each other, and she waves the bag of food at me as she passes me, it is then that I smell it. I haven't smelled it in years, and I sell zero product with that scent in it. So why the fuck do I smell marzipan. I shrug, maybe I am crazy. I watch her retreat into my office where she puts my food. I quickly finish with the customers and they leave. I glance around the store to make sure its empty. I touch base with Kira my associate then go towards my office.

I enter the office and look for Nikki. She is seated across from my desk. I take a seat opposite her. I am starving and immediately start to attack the food. "How'd you know I loved cobb salad?" I ask as I take my first big bite.

Nikki laughs. "I had some help." She then looks everywhere. Then finally meets my questioning eyes. Nikki rolls her eyes. "I asked Polly."

"Th-an-k y-ou." I choke out shoving more into my mouth. Nikki makes a face.

"Disgusting Chapman. Smaller bites please. Before you choke eh. Although if you do happen to choke and pass out, I'd be more than happy to give you CPR." Nikki finishes using her hands and making a honking gesture.

I chuckle as I finish chewing and swallow what I have in my mouth, waiting until Nikki is taking a drink of her water before I respond. "In your dreams, Nichols. We're already tunnel twins. So you'll never get with this." I pause as Nikki begins to sputter. I laugh as Nikki tries to gain her composer.

"Fuckin hell Chapman. How'd you figure it out?"

I roll my eyes. "Please, the day I walked into that cube after Larry had dumped me I could smell the sex in the air. The shit eating grin on your face telling me to leave wasn't subtle either."

Nikki looks uncomfortable. For once I'd like to talk to her about Alex. I know they still speak and I am, but I am not curious about her still. I watch as she shrugs, then changes the subject. "You decided if you're joining us or not tonight Chapman?"

I let it go because it's my fault. I made her promise not to bring her up around me. I smile. "I will on one condition."

Nikki lights up like a Christmas tree and I can't help but smile back at her. "What's this condition, chap?"

"When I am done with my salad, help me box up this order for Barneys. Until then get your ass out there and re-stock the shelves. Then together we will inventory to see what else we need to make." I state as I take another bite of my salad.

Nikki beams and claps. "I, I Chapman. I'm on it. We're gonna party tonight." I watch as she gets up exiting the office. Her excitement about it makes me laugh, and I am looking forward to it as well.


Alex's POV

I am currently seated at the bar in Bossa Nova. I was thrilled to receive a text from Nikki telling me Piper would be in attendance tonight. I agreed to stay out of sight until the time was right. Piper was currently on the dance floor with Nicky, Lorna, and Taystee. Piper kept looking around as if uncomfortable. It was odd and made my job of staying out of site a little harder. However I was the master of hiding. Piper looked amazing. She was decked out and looked smoking hot. She was in a LBD that left little to the imagination, the heels she chose made her already long legs, look even longer. I missed those legs. Her make-up was a little different. She'd gone a little heavier, and added a smoky eye. It's very clear that she is taking great care of herself. She's drinking margaritas tonight, I chuckle at the irony. I watch as they make their way back to the table, Piper however makes her way to the bathroom. I look back to the table looking for Nikki. I don't see her. I then look at my phone and I get the text to go after her.

I stand and slowly make my way towards the bathroom. As I make it to the door I stop, I take a deep breath. It was now or never. With that in mind I push the door open and stepped in. It is at that moment, that a closed stall door opens and Piper steps out. She walks to the sink and begins to wash her hands. As she looks into the mirror I prepare myself, I don't know what Piper I am going to get. The last time I walked up on her in prison she screamed in my face and then ran away. This time however as we lock eyes, blue meeting green she pauses, shock crosses her face before it's replaced with something else. She drops her head as she turns off the sink.

It is then that I hear it. Her sarcastic laughter. She turns and looks at me and stops laughing. Her face holds all the pent up rage and anger.

"Alex, what the fuck?" she hisses at me finally.

Angry Piper it is. I hold my hands up. "We need to talk…"


AN: What do you think so far? do you like it? Give me feed back? Give me ideas. What do you want to see? The only thing i will promise right now is that Vauseman is endgame.