Piper entered the room, her head poised, purposefully as she turned to Alex, who was sitting on the bed, staring into space.

'Did you look at all when I was out? If I miss this flight, I'm screwed.'

Alex gave no response, and just continued to stare at the wall, as though she was almost in a trance.

Wow, thought Piper. This is really affecting her hard.

She tried to push away the vestiges of guilt and carried on looking for her passport, knowing if she spent too much time looking at how upset Alex was, she wouldn't be able to bring herself to leave. But she had to. Her heart ached, but she knew that this relationship was going to go around in circles until both of them ended up in prison.

She loved Alex. She loved the way her arms wrapped around her as she fell asleep at night, she loved the way Alex would surprise her with breakfast in bed, and trips around the world. She loved how strong she was, but sensitive at the same time. And god, she loved sex with Alex. She loved everything about the woman. She couldn't deny that even to herself, but she couldn't live like this any longer. She needed to leave, before she changed her mind.

'Alex, I know you're upset but can you at least acknowledge that I am a person who is speaking? ... Alex! Passport! Hello?!'

'My mom died.' Came a small, low voice from the bed.

Piper's heart froze in her chest.

She dropped the clothes she was holding and walked over to the bed, gingerly sitting down next to her girlfriend, the purposeful expression across her brow softening into one of surprise, and then sympathy.

'What?' She whispered, resting her hand on Alex's thigh.

'My aunt just called. It happened this morning I guess.' Alex's voice cracked and her lip trembled as she spoke.

'Oh Alex...' Piper soothed, reaching out and gently rubbing her back. 'What happened?'

'An aneurysm? My first instinct was to call her to talk about it. My aunt said so many things that I don't even remember...' Alex wringed her hands, trying to hold back the flow of tears that was ready to engulf her.

'What can I do?' Piper asked, tenderly brushing Alex's blue-tipped hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear. Alex looked up at her.

'Just... Please don't leave. Not now. I need you Pipes. Please don't leave me.' Her eyes were filled with the most intense despair, shock and desperation, all warring with each other as she looked into Piper's eyes. She lifted her shaking hands and covered her mouth as she let out a muffled sob, dissolving into tears.

Piper stopped still for a second, overcome by emotion. She looked at the woman she had loved for so long, her strong, tall, beautiful, powerful girlfriend, and her heart felt like it was about to break in two at how vulnerable she looked. She didn't even need to think about her answer.

She draped a light, comforting arm over Alex's shoulders and pressed her cheek against hers as she dropped her voice and began to speak.

'I'm not going to leave sweetie. Not now, not ever. I'm here for you baby. Oh honey, come here...' Piper's voice was soothing, loving and gentle and she threw her arms around her Alex, pulling her in close as the floodgates fully opened and she collapsed into a fit of huge, painful sobs that wracked her whole body. Piper held the taller woman gently but firmly in her supporting arms, slowly rocking her and making soft little shushing noises in her ear. Alex clung onto Piper for dear life, burying her face in her shoulder which was catching her tears.

'Al, it's ok sweetie, I've got you. I'm not going anywhere. Oh baby, I know, shh, it's ok. This is going to be the hardest thing of your life, but we'll get through it together. I'm going to get you through it. You're not alone honey. Shh it's ok baby, let it all out, I love you so much' She kissed Alex's head and continued to rock her while lovingly rubbing her trembling arms.

'Piper.. The funeral.. I have to fly home and.. I need to pack and... There's no one else to sort it out..' Alex choked, her rambling voice barely coherent amongst her sobs.

'Ok baby, you stay there and I'll book us on the next flight home, ok? I'll pack for you. You just stay there and take it easy sweetie. I've got this.' Piper raised her hand and wiped away the tears on Alex's face, then gave her one more kiss on her wet cheek. Then she gently picked up Alex's legs and helped her into a more comfortable position laying down on the bed.

'I'll be back over to cuddle with you as soon as I'm done, ok?' Piper promised. This garnered a tiny, grateful smile from Alex through her tears.

'Thanks Pipes. I love you kid.' Alex sniffled.

'You don't need to thank me, sweetheart. I'm going to look after you. It's my job. And it's the best job I could ever imagine. I love it. Because I love you.' She reassured her, then made her way over to the computer.

'Al, the next flight isn't until tomorrow afternoon. Will that be ok?' She asked tentatively.

Alex was back in her zoned out state, laying on her side on the bed facing Piper, but staring at the wall again. Silent tears were streaming down her cheeks, and Piper was finding it hard to stay away from comforting her long enough to book their flights.

'Yeah. That'll be fine.' She said eventually, in a small voice.

'Ok honey, that's sorted. Our flight is at 4pm tomorrow, and we're staying over there for 5 nights. Are we staying at your mom's place or shall I book us into a hotel?'

Alex stiffened on the bed.

'I don't think I could stay in my Mom's place, Pipes. Not without her there. It would just be too painful.' She managed to utter before bursting into tears again.

'Ok baby... Oh Alex, I'll be over in a moment sweetie. Let me just book us a nice hotel, pack our stuff and then I'm all yours. Hang in there baby, I love you.'

Tears streamed down Piper's own cheeks, blurring her vision as she looked at the computer screen. Poor Alex, she thought. And her poor Mom. She knew she needed to be strong for Alex's sake, and figure out every little thing she could do that would make all of this even a little easier for her, even if they would only make a tiny dent in her heart wrenching pain. She chose a room in the most luxurious 5 star hotel which was a 20 minute drive from Al's Mom's place, which was complete with a huge, King sized waterbed, a double bath and jacuzzi, heated floor tiles, the best room service menu, a communal swimming pool and a gym. She knew that Alex liked to visit the gym to let off steam sometimes. She booked a chauffeur to take them to and from the airport on arrival and departure, then quickly grabbed a suitcase and took some of Alex's clothes from her wardrobe, knowing her beloved girlfriend so well that she knew exactly what she'd want.

She picked out Alex's tight black pants, dark grey smart shirt, boots and black blazer for the funeral, a couple of pairs of her jeans, some comfortable track pants and t-shirts, her black leather jacket, some underwear, her casual boots and her makeup bag, then took out her own suitcase and threw in her smartest black dress, matching jewelry, hair straighteners, her own makeup bag and some underwear and comfortable clothes for herself.

She then laid out a comfortable t-shirt and jeans ready for Alex to slip into quickly the next day.

'Ok honey I've packed everything we need. We're all sorted for tomorrow. Now don't worry about anything, just relax, ok?'

Alex gave her another tiny, greatful smile amidst her tears, and Piper's heart nearly broke in two seeing her Alex, THE Alex Vause looking so tiny and vulnerable. She was curled up in a ball, her knees up against her stomach, shivering with shock and cold as big, wet tears rolled endlessly down her swollen cheeks.

Piper tentatively climbed in beside her and snuggled up close. It was getting dark by now, but she knew they had plenty of time to sleep. She spooned her lovingly from behind, running her warm hands up and down Alex's goose bumped arms. She immediately grabbed the duvet and tucked it snug around her and Alex, warming her with her body.

'I'm so cold Pipes.' Alex whimpered.

'I know baby, you're freezing. Turn around sweetie, let me hold you.' Piper helped her to turn over and get in a comfortable position, squeezing the brunette into her and kissing away each tear that fell from Alex's poor, swollen face.

'Oh baby.' She soothed, pulling her into her arms as she began to shake again, letting her bury her face into the crook of her neck. She held her tight until the night fell upon them and the room got dark.

'I don't know what I'd do without you Pipes. I can't believe this has happened. I need my mom, but I can't have her, and I need you and you're being so sweet to me, I don't deserve you baby. I'm a mess.' Alex whispered.

Piper's own eyes filled with tears at her words.

'You deserve everything good in the world my darling. I wish I could bring your mom back. I wish I could take your pain away somehow. I wish I could squeeze all of this horrible pain out of you until it all goes away. I love you so much Al. You're so beautiful baby. Even after hours of crying, you're the most beautiful person in the world to me. Your mom will be so proud of you honey. She loves you baby, and I love you too.'

Her words made Alex cry harder, but she snuggled deep into Piper's neck.

'Piper, how am I going to get through this funeral? How am I going to watch my mom get buried? It's going to kill me. I don't know if I can do it.' She sobbed, her voice almost completely gone from crying so hard.

'You can do it baby, I promise. I'm going to look after you. You're strong, Alex Vause. You're stronger than you know. You're my beautiful, powerful, strong, perfect girl. And I'll hold your hand from the minute we set foot out of this door tomorrow until the minute we get back, if you need, ok babe? I promise you're not alone baby, not on my watch. Piper kissed her forehead and wiped her eyes again.

'I love you so much Pipes.' Alex murmured.

'I love you too honey. More than you know. Now try to get some rest, ok baby? I'll tickle your back until you fall asleep. Piper smiled slightly, chucking Alex under the chin ever so gently. 'Close your eyes baby, there you go, all those tears must have made you so sleepy, huh? Shhh, that's better. Sleep tight babe. I love you Al.'

Piper stroked Alex's back with her fingertips, knowing it always did the trick in getting her off to sleep. After a few minutes she heard Alex's breathing even out, and she closed her eyes herself and drifted off to sleep, knowing she needed to be ready for the big day ahead.