Chapter 1

Alex arrived to her apartment building just as the mailman was leaving. It had been months since she heard from Piper but couldn't help hoping she'd finally responded to one of the many letters she'd sent her since visiting her when she was released on parole. Piper would be getting out soon unless … Alex didn't want to think about it. As much as she never wanted to go back to prison she hated not being in there to protect Piper.

Alex opened the mailbox only to find bills and junk mail. FUCK Alex sighed. She entered her apartment and collapsed on the couch. Her feet ached. She'd been working at a restaurant and attending classes part time. With her record she needed all the help she could get to live a normal life because she was never going back to prison.

The last time she'd seen Piper she confessed her plan to escape. Kubra's men were watching her and she was losing it. It was on her way home from the visit that she realize she couldn't run. She couldn't leave Piper. She'd missed her in her life for too long. Things were spinning out of control and she was not going to lose everything again. So much had changed but the only clear thing in her life was Piper. As soon as she was home she ditched the gun she'd purchased. If Kubra was going to kill her he would have by now. He was just fucking with her. The case was dismissed and he was still being watched. Murdering Alex was the least of his concerns. A few hours later there had been a knock on her door and Alex immediately regretted dumping the gun. She almost pissed her pants when the locked door was opened. Her parole officer had been tipped off that Alex might have a gun and planning an escape. Alex knew Piper was behind it. She'd been angry and thought Alex was abandoning her. Typical selfish Piper.

Alex had written Piper and told her she wasn't going anywhere. She'd told her that she understood that in the twisted way that had become so normal for the two she knew Piper was deep down trying to protect her. If she'd have fled she'd be caught in no time and her sentence would be extended a lot longer than having a gun when there was a drug cartel outside her building and for all Piper knew Kubra was going to kill her and she'd be a lot safer in Litchfield.

Her letters went unanswered and she tried to visit but Piper had taken her off her visitor's list. Alex wasn't giving up but was growing concerned that something may have happened to Piper to land her in SHU or worse. She'd begun reaching out to Nichols but despite their friendship, in prison you keep your friend's secrets and Nicky wasn't giving up anything on Piper.

Piper entered the cafeteria later than usual.

"CHAPMAN!" Piper looked up to see Nichols gesturing her over with her typical grin.

Lorna locked arms with Nichols and said "Two more days sweetie." Piper shyly smiled.

She'd seen enough people leave and return or lose their release date too often to get excited.

Nicky noticed the blondes hesitation, "Aww don't sweat it Chapman, you'll be back in the burbs in no time. Making soap, eating organic food, and doing that yuppie shit."

Piper didn't want to go back to life before Litchfield. Her best friend and business partner had started dating her ex fiancé. She didn't want to go back to her boring life. She figured out who she was behind these walls and she wasn't scared to face herself anymore. She wasn't going to be scared of the unknown and settle for the routine and safe. She wanted Alex, but they both needed to get their lives together if they were going to have any future.

Heading back to her bunk Piper received another letter from Alex. She held it close smelling it for a moment hoping it still had Alex's scent before adding it to all the others, unread. She couldn't bring herself to read them. She had a plan when she got out and she couldn't let Alex stop her. She needed to get her life back on track. She was going to stay with Cal and find work. Maybe go back to school and get a teaching certification. She would write Alex when she was out and let her know she was fine and ask for space to figure things out. One day she and Alex may cross paths again but she couldn't run straight to Alex and pretend their whole lives weren't upside down. If she did she feared they'd both end up right back here in Litchfield. Alex was the love of her life. She was going to do whatever it took to make sure it lasted a lifetime.

Alex opened her mailbox to find a letter from Litchfield. Her heart stopped beating as she tore open the envelope. Her heart sank with fear when she saw the handwriting was not hers but Nicky's. Had something happened to Piper? Alex read the letter with her breath caught in her throat.

Vause,

Sorry for the disappointment. I bet your little lesbian heart thought this was from Chapman. She' fine. I haven't heard from you in a few weeks. You didn't' take my call and you missed this last visit. There isn't enough time. Bambi is free on meatloaf day. Don't be a stranger.

Nichols

Alex read the words again. "Shit" when was meatloaf day? Alex went through the menu in her head but it'd changed when Mendoza took over and that awful loaf was removed from the menu. Finally it came to her. Red's was the second Wednesday of the month. 2 days from now. Was Larry back in the picture? Would he be there to pick up Piper and take her back to her normal life? Alex didn't care. She would be there.

The day had finally arrived. Piper had barely slept. The girls had planned a goodbye party. Red made a cake. Nichols and Lorna had made a banner and the other girls had put on a few skits all mimicking Piper and the yuppie attitude she had when she first arrived. She was actually going to miss them. They'd become her family. "I just want to tell you Red, Nicky, Lorna, and everyone. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure the world knows what happens here. I don't know if we'll see each other again but I will never forget you or what you've taught me. I will carry parts of you all in my heart for the rest of my life." Piper said as sincerely as she could hoping they really understood. The group erupted with laughter. After a few hugs it was time for her to go. The release process was quicker than expected and once she was outside she closed her eyes looking up at the sky and took in a full breath of air. She released the air in her lungs slowly with a smile opening her eyes to take a first look at the world around her as a free woman. The first thing she saw was Alex.

Alex had been waiting in the car for almost 2 hours. Not sure when Piper would be released. She heard the fence gates moving and got out of her car and walked towards the entrance. Not much scared Alex Vause but putting her heart on her sleeve was a worse feeling than seeing one of Kubra's cars outside her apartment. She had no idea how Piper felt but she was going to fight for her.

Piper came into view and was a sight to behold. Alex caught her breath. God she'd missed that megawatt smile that was beaming as Piper looked to the sky taking in her freedom.

Piper's eyes locked with those familiar green eyes. Her smile was frozen on her face. She was actually frozen and no longer breathing.

Alex smiled "Hey kid"

Piper's heart finally started beating again she caught her breath. "Alex" It came out as a whisper. "How..how'd you know?"

"Nichols" Alex replied.

Piper should have known. Dammit, she had made Nicky promise. Piper could already feel her will fading caught in Alex's gaze. Alex was always gorgeous but something about her was different. She looked even more gorgeous than Piper could ever remember seeing her. She unconsciously bit her lower lip and eyed the raven haired beauty up and down. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought you could use a ride" Alex said smiling.

"Cal is picking me up" Piper said slightly panicked.

"He's not here. I see you haven't read my letters" gesturing to the bundle of unopened envelopes tucked under Piper's arm.

"I couldn't…not yet." Piper adjusted the bundle in her arms.

Alex couldn't stop looking her up and down and now Piper was biting her lip doing the same. Alex closed the distance between them. Piper was still frozen in place.

"I bet you would love some coffee, a burger and fries, pizza, ice cream. Anything you want kid. Come on" Alex reached out her hand and Piper reached back and just before their hands connected she heard the squeal of a car. Cal's car.