Just a quick warning: This story takes place after my first fanfiction called 'Furlough'. I would suggest having a quick look over the last few chapters there so you understand what this sequel will be about. Also a big thank you to everyone who's read my story and encouraged me to make another, I'm extremely flattered and honored. I hope you like this next one. I've written it with the hope it keeps you entertained and guessing! Last but certainly not least I'd love to give a massive thank you Vausemania who has help collaborated with me and helped me with some much needed editing. So much fun brainstorming with you!

CHAPTER 1

The grass crunches loudly under her flats. Grass has never made so much noise before…until now.

The sky was grey, the wind was slight, it pricked her skin and the hidden sun seeped all colour from the earth. Everything was dull, it matched her perfectly.

It's difficult to draw air, her chest is tight, she shouldn't be here… this isn't real.

One step, two steps, three… each step causes her shoes to tighten and shrink, her feet grow numb.

And then she's almost there, soon she forgets to breathe.

She is no longer part of the world around, she feels separated from it.

Exposed, naked, like an open wound she gapes… She hasn't felt like this since her mother…

Everything is muffled.

An over whelming sensation takes hold and she begins to shake uncontrollably.

The pit of her stomach falls as her body manoeuvres the sites. Her eyes fall on the only stone that matters, the only one to stop her heart and freeze her core.

Piper Chapman

(1982- 2014)

It's like her heart explodes, shattering inside her chest. Seeing that name, being right here, having it cemented in and confirmed is so very, very final.

She aches.

Her stomach heaves and she can't stop sniffling. The tears are unstoppable and stream down her cheeks as she refuses to accept the name engraved on the tombstone.

The dirt is fresh and the crowd has past. They're alone; finally, they're all alone. She can now tell her everything; tell her how she feels, tell her she didn't mean for this, tell her where she was when it happened.

But words seem impossible as her mouth hangs open awaiting any sound to pour out.

She can't speak…

She loses strength in her legs and collapses to her knees. A whisper escapes her lips as she struggles to inhale, "Pipe..." And she weeps. She lets it all out. The frustration, the angst, the agony, the love… She reaches out and takes a handful of cold dirt, "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry," Everything aches and her chest physically hurts. Each breath draws new pain like never before because she lives and Piper doesn't. "I failed, I failed you… I'm sorry"

Alex Vause wakes with a giant gasp. It's as if she's been holding her breath under water and the first few sips of air are chilling and sting. She's covered in sweat, her entire body is clammy and she's stoked her pyjamas through. Frantically looking around the blurry room, it takes her a moment to remember where she is. The dorm is lightly dimmed, there 's a soft tone of gentle breathing and all she can smell is recirculated air and aloe. Her heart is thumping rapidly in her chest that she is amazed no one woke up from the incredible sound. Alex lies still as she quickly goes over the dream sequence. 'It's just a dream… It's just a dream…right?' she repeatedly whispers trying to convince herself. She struggles to comprehend the reality of what was true and what wasn't. It had been two weeks since the shooting and she still hadn't heard anything about Piper. The C.O's refused to answer her questions any time she saw them. Alex feared the worst, believing Piper had passed away and they were simply waiting until after the funeral before telling her. Perhaps they hoped to forgo any requests for Furlough or feared she might make a run if given the chance – she didn't believe the "for your protection, Alex" bullshit. To makes things even worse, she hadn't heard from Larry. She'd requested his phone number on her call list but he was yet to pick up the phone. This didn't stop her calling any chance she got, leaving messages and hoping he'd finally pick up. But just like all her attempts everyday, her calls went unanswered… that is, until today.

"An inmate from Litchfield Federal Prison is attempting to contact you,

To accept this call please press one"

...

...

...

As Alex heard the familiar outgoing message conclude, her heart began to race and she felt anxiety as she awaited a response.

"Hello,"

His voice was deep, withheld and unusually hesitant. It's odd to hear Larry Bloom's voice on the other end of the phone and she's suddenly shocked. She didn't expect him to pick up but he does and she finds she can't control herself. She's angry, hurt and over all can't stand being ignored. "Oh so now you answer?!" she spits through the receiver. "What the fuck Larry? I've been calling for weeks! What the hell is going on?" Her tone was possibly too harsh and this might cost her the rest of the phone call but Alex believed she had every right to be. Larry had promised and instead he was ignoring her. After putting everything on the line to rescue Piper and, as a result, was paying the price with her own freedom, the least she deserved was a little common curtesy. "Is she even still alive?" she frowns. A pause. Alex's heart jumped to her throat and she quickly feared the worst. "Of course she's alive," came Larry's irritated voice. "She'd been in a coma and only just woke up a few days ago,"

"And what? You didn't think to pick up the phone and tell me? Jesus fucking Christ Larry, I've been calling you every day for weeks!"

"Calm down, I've been busy alright. And it's not like I can just stop everything to talk to you I have a life! And yeah it's not like I can just pick up the phone and call you whenever. You're in prison!"

"Oh thanks for the reminder, I didn't realise! Not that hard to answer, you agreed to be on my call list for fucks sake! "

"I know…I know… I just haven't had the time alright. With Piper, the police and work it's just been chaotic."

"Oh poor you, how hard it must be for you right now." Alex throws back very sarcastically.

"You listen, you're not the only one who cares for her you know, don't forget that." The tension was starting to build up.

"And neither are you! I'm in here because I risked my life for her! I ran into that prison, I found her, and I was the one who sacrificed everything for her!"

"And now look where she is! In a bed, fighting for her life because of you! She'd never be in this situation if it wasn't for you Alex!" he snaps. "She wouldn't be laying in that bed struggling to breathe, hooked up to god knows how many machines and wires, and covered in bruises!"

This hurt Alex, it cut right through her because it was the truth. He was right, Piper would be much safer if they'd never met in the first place but they had and there was nothing that could be done about it. She loved her and as far as she knew Piper loved her back. There was a long pause before either of them spoke. Alex broke the silence, "Can I at least talk to her?"

"I don't think so Alex. It's best if we keep things simple for now."

"Really? You're going to play that game? I just want to hear her voice Larry.

"I'm sorry but it just can't happen, I'm barely allowed to visit as it is. I'd be pushing it to get her a phone call," he lied. If anything Alex would be the one to argue and push the point further but she feared Larry wouldn't tolerate any more of her outbursts.

"Has she asked for me?" Alex held the receiver closer to her ear in anticipation; fingers clamped firmly over the phone as she nervously awaited his answer.

"No… she's not talking a lot, still a little confused where she is".

A pain stabbed Alex's chest but didn't want Larry to sense any weakness. She continued the conversation, "How's her shoulder doing?"

"It's healing. Nurses seem to think a week before the stitches can come out,"

You could have cut the air with a knife. Alex hated talking to Larry but he was her only line to Piper. She just wanted to talk to her.

"When will she be out?"

"I'd hard to tell, could be a few more weeks."

Alex drooped forward, that's not what she wanted to hear. She couldn't take not talking to Piper for a whole other week or more, they had to be able to let them speak soon. This was the first honest and selfless act Alex had ever performed in her whole life, put everything on the line to save Piper, and she now felt like it was going unnoticed and forgotten.

"I have to go now," Larry said slightly abruptly.

Alex sighed heavily, "Alright… just… tell her I lov…." But she hesitates awkwardly, " tell her…tell her I said hi, " Alex weakly smiles into the receiver and rolls her eyes up to the ceiling. This was hard for both ends and she wondered if Larry would pass on her message. In all honesty, Alex wondered why Larry picked up after avoiding all of her previous calls. It led her to believe Larry wasn't being entirely honest about Piper and her recovery.

"I will," he finally said but his reply was dull and almost untrustworthy. Alex wondered if the reason behind his tone and lack of communication was due to the fact that she still made him feel very uncomfortable. Talking to him made her uncomfortable and she wouldn't be surprised if he felt the same. They both hung up without uttering a goodbye. Alex paused by the phone, resting her back against the wall as she processed the conversation in her head. Piper was alive, Larry was hiding something, and no one would let her talk to Piper. Alex felt Larry wasn't being entirely truthful over the phone and she wondered what exactly he was hiding. The picture he painted of Piper was grim and she'd give anything to be the one by her side holding her hand. She should be there not him. Piper would want that. Alex understood her, Alex could help her… but there was nothing she could do now but wait. She doubted Larry would answer another phone call. She turned and slowly made her way back over to her cellblock, lost in thought.

"Who was that?" calls a very awake and chipper Piper. She sits breathing on her own, surrounded by just a drip and a smile on her face. One hand is handcuffed to the bed while the other sips water casually. Larry shoves the mobile into his pocket and forces himself to smile. "Oh, no one important" He shrugs making a face as he walks over and sits on the end of her bed. He places a hand over Piper and she scoops it into hers.

"I'm so lucky to have you help me."

"I love you too" he smiles.

"Now tell me more, why was I in prison again?"