- 1 -
Piper was sitting on a hard metal bench. She was beyond pissed. Beyond thinking straight (ironically…). Her foot was rattling up and down at a super high speed – a small token of her nervousness and, let's admit it, fear. The tapping was getting louder and faster by the minute
Could you please… – said Nicky.
Oh no, you don't! You DO not get to talk to me! – the pissed blonde snapped.
OK… Jeez…
They were locked up in the county jail cell. It was cold, damp and dark. They could hear some women arguing with the wardens, screaming that they hadn't been working the street, just going for a walk. Well, in that amount of clothing on them they might have been trying to get to some nude meach…
You do know that it's not entirely my fault… – Nicky tried again.
NOT YOUR FAULT?!
flashback
They were having a great time. The first year of college was finally over and everyone was looking forward to some summer fun. Piper, Nicky and Polly were heading back home from an epic party organized by Pete, Polly's boyfriend.
That Larry guy was really sweet, Piper… Have you thought of going back to dick? He was so cute. Why didn't you give him your phone number?! – Polly slurred.
Are you kidding me? Did you see that tweed jacket he was wearing – sniggered Nicky, who was clearly equally intoxicated as the other two.
Yeah, I am definitely NOT going back to dick for that creature. Besides, he was soooo boring. Mr. Smartpants, Mr. I-Knot-It-All, ugh. Nope, thanks but THANKS.
Speaking of pants… I'm pretty damn sure his pants remember the Columbus times. – Nicky laughed out.
Piper couldn't help but bursting out too, spilling the rest of her drink which she was still holding in her hand. She felt happy, free and careless. Polly was her best friend since early childhood but she didn't really get her anymore. It wasn't until Piper met Nicky, with whom she attended classes at the university, that she truly started to discover who she really was. Her future plans had changed profusely. Kids? Maybe that was a "yes"… Husband? A very definite "NO." A nice house with a white fence? Yes, someday, but rather with a nice, smart girl, not a man.
At the time, though, what she wanted was having fun, enjoying life, discovering herself and thanks to the money she had been given by her beloved grandmother ("Go, child! Experience the world! Let me see you put a good use to this cash while I'm still around."), Piper was fully able to let herself go. The new wave of independence was so good. She could finally set free from her fucked-up drunkard mother and her notoriously cheating father. None of them had ever truly accepted Piper's way of life. She told them she was gay at a quite early age and even though she did not really have big experience with women, she was sure that she was a lesbian. Meeting Nicky and her cool crowd, going to gay clubs and getting to know the society better only ensured her in her feelings. She hadn't had a steady girlfriend so far. Everyone seemed just so vague and kinda boring. She'd never told it anyone, but deep in her heart she was still waiting for "that special one." The fact was that Piper, despite her cool and laid-back behavior, was a true romantic – something she would never EVER admit to anyone, especially Nicky. She wouldn't stop harassing her for it.
The money Piper was given by her grandma were put to a good use, alright. She not only spent it on trivial things but first and foremost she invested it into her education. At the moment she was studying art and literature at the Smith.
BUT school was over now and Piper was having fun. Lot' .It.
Hey! There's another party at Lorna's! Do you guys wanna tag along? – asked Nicky hopefully and Piper couldn't help the smirk that adorned her pretty face.
You've got it bad, Nichols.
What? I don't know what you're talking about. I just want to see if there's any free Tequila left there…
Suuuuuure… - teased Piper, who still was not able to stop her lips from smiling.
I'm actually out. I need to go to my mother's friends' house tomorrow morning – announced Polly and Nicky's arms slumped a little.
She expected Piper to follow her childhood friend.
You know what? I'm in. Let's go to Lorna's!
Nicky's face was suddenly enlightened by a 100 voltage grin.
Yey! Let's rock that party!
OK, you guys. So I'm off. You two have fun! – and off Polly went.
Piper and Nicky started to walk to Lorna's house, which was actually a nice huge mansion. That's why most of students' parties were held there. It was quite a long way from where the girls were at the time. Annoyingly, there were no cabs in the near vicinity so they decided to take a stroll, buying some beer in a liquor store on the way. After about 15 minutes of walking they managed to dawn the beers and they were getting pretty tired. When they were passing by an old locked-up football pitch Nicky said they should take the shortcut across the pitch.
It's locked for a reason, Nicky. Besides, we would have to jump over the fence. – said Piper with a worry in her eyes. She was still quite resistant to breaking the law, per say.
Are you chickening out, Chapman?
Of course NO… - yet she was never willing to admit that she truly was chicken-shit.
Oh, c'mon. What on earth could go wrong?
end of flashback
NOT your fault?! Whose idea was it? Who the hell decided to go on the roof of the grandstands?
I just wanted to see the stars better. Besides, I didn't see you opposing nor complaining, now did I?
In a second I'm gonna punch that fucking head of yours so hard you're gonna see fucking stars in here, you asshole!
Ha, ha, ha… You wouldn't dare…
I dare say I could kill you right about now… – growled Piper.
That's a threat that I DARE say could land your ass in a jail… No, wait, you're already here…
Nicky was laughing like crazy, somehow completely not worried that they were BOTH in a jail cell at the moment, and Piper jumped to her friend with a plan to grab Nicky's shirt when she suddenly heard the sexiest raspy voice she had ever heard before.
Your friend might be right there. Threatening to kill can get your ass in prison pretty fast, in fact.
When Piper turned around she was faced with a tall dark-haired woman. She was wearing tight black skinny-jeans, white shirt and a leather jacket that was hugging her in all the right places. Her sexy rider's boots made her look even more smoking hot. Her face was adorned with black rimmed glasses which made her astonishing green eyes huge. She had the aura of professionalism around her but the smirk dancing on her kissable full lips showed that she really didn't mean to charge Piper with anything.
I was just joking… – started Piper. Somehow her throat managed to go completely dry.
I sure hope so. – both the bemused beauty and slightly shaken Nicky said at the same time.
The woman opened the stinky jail cell and asked both Nicky and Piper to get out. She led them to a brightly light office with one desk and a few plastic chairs. It smelled of shitload of cigarettes and vomit. Definitely not a nice environment, especially to someone so heavily hangovered as Piper at the time.
So… What's your story, girls? Did you try to steal some football bats?
Err… You don't use bats in football. – stated Nicky laughing quietly, her eyes full of merit.
She liked the woman already. She could also see where that conversation was heading and it put her at ease. Piper seemed oblivious and still scared, which only further amused the crazy-haired girl.
So were you trying to renovate the old roof or something?
Yeah, we were trying to decorate it with beer bottles and vomit stains, applause to Piper here. – Nicky had a blast at Piper's expanse.
Nicky! – Piper was, on the other hand, horrified with her friend's behavior. She was sure they were going to get back to the jail cell if she didn't stop joking around.
Can't you ask us some real questions instead of this dumbass ones? – Nicky continued, spiking Piper's distress to its limit.
Well… What can I say? Dumbass questions for those who commit dumbass crimes. – laughed the woman, who in the meantime turned out to be some sort of detective.
So what now? – asked Piper, who was obviously still shitting her pants a little bit.
It depends… – smiled the cop brightly sending weird shivers down Piper's spine.
On what? – snapped Nicky, still playing her role of an asshole here.
Please, Nicky, stop it…
Yeah, Nicky, you better stop it. If I were you, I would stop it right now 'cause, you see, Piper here doesn't have a record yet. I'm afraid I can't say the same about you, now can I? – the cop suddenly turned more serious.
That thing back then was just weed…
Well, another dumbass way to get caught, don't you think?
Both Piper and Nicky shut up. This time Nicky thought she really had read the cop completely bad. All of a sudden she was a little worried as well, although something was telling her hat this policewoman was just pulling her leg right now. She didn't want to risk it, though.
Please, officer, we didn't mean any harm. We were just trying to cut our way. We didn't destroy anytning.
The beautiful woman laughed again and it yet again sent shivers down Piper's spine. It kinda infuriated the blonde. She really didn't want to feel that way about a person who was about to decide if they were totally screwed or not. It just didn't seem right.
You know what? OK, let's say you're lucky tonight. I'll let you both go this time.
You will? – Piper's eyes went wide, which made the cop laugh some more – Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Calm your pant, Chapman! – snapped Nicky.
OK. Let me get you out of this shithole but if I catch you again anytime soon, you'll be in real trouble. GOT IT?
Yep! – both Piper and Nicky shouted.
When they exited the police station they saw Lorna waiting for them.
How did you know we were here? – Nicky was pleasantly surprised.
My cousin, Vinnie, called me. He works here and he recognized you. I thought you would need a ride home or something so I'm here. – smiled Lorna. – Chapman, do you want us to drop you off at your place?
Piper could see that Nicky was hoping for a few minutes alone with Lorna so she smiled and declined the offer.
Nah, you two go ahead. I'll take a walk, clear my head. Besides, it's already light so no worries.
It was already past 4 am and the sun was starting to rise.
OK but let me know when you get home. – pleaded Nicky. She was a really good friend.
Sure thing.
The girls left and Piper was standing alone at the steps of the building. She took a deep breath happy to be out of that fucking dungeon.
I'm sorry you had to spend full five hours in that shithole.
She suddenly heard the now so familiar husky voice and she jumped a little bit out of surprise.
Didn't mean to scare you. – chuckled the dark-haired woman.
She was leaning on the building's wall smoking a cigarette.
No ride home, Champman? – she continued.
There was that mischievous smile on her perfect kissable lips and Piper couldn't help but smile a little bit herself (Wait a second… Kissable? Where did that come from?!).
Well, no. I was thinking of a walk. I live not far away from here. – she lied.
Yeah, I know… 4 mile walk must be awesome at dawn…
Piper turned red upon being caught on a lie.
Morning exercise… – she tried to safe her face.
I am a cop after all. I've checked where you live, you know. You should've known that.
The brunette laughed some more and Piper started to hate herself a little bit more as well because she didn't like the way her body reacted to the cop.
Yeah, you're a cop and I don't even know your name. You do realize that if you decided to charge us with anything, you would be in trouble for not introducing yourself and reading us our memoranda rights.
Some other cop did that when he arrested you. Besides, I wasn't planning to cause you any trouble. That trespassing was just a stupid stunt.
Yeah, still…
Alex Vause.
The woman extended her hand and when Piper took it in hers to shake, she could swear she felt something quite close to a lightening bold going right through her. Alex also felt it and as much as she was shocked at her own reaction, she was also intrigued. The hard core police officer had never felt anything like that before.
So hop in. – said Alex as she opened the passenger door to her police car.
Wow… Full police car with lights and everything. – joked Piper.
It's not like you haven't been in one before. Like last night? Rings a bell or were you too drunk to remember the blue lights? I can turn them on, you know…
Ha, ha… Funny. – yet Piper could feel herself starting to be turned on and she really didn't want that.
I'm not going to let you walk at the break of dawn. Protect and serve, right? – winked Alex and Piper's heart did a small somersault.
During the ride home Piper felt surprisingly comfortable. There was no uneasy silence in the car. Talking to Alex turned out to be actually very easy. After just a few minutes she realized that this detective was not only very attractive but also smart and her ironic sense of humor made Piper burst out laughing on more than one occasion.
When they finally arrived at Piper's place, she turned slowly to leave the vehicle but decided to stop and face Alex one more time.
Thank you.
No problem, kid. I was going home anyways.
No, for the earlier as well. I really would like to thank you for getting us out. I know that you must have pulled some strings or something. I mean… or not… I don't even know. But still, thank you. – Piper ended up rambling as always and Alex just laughed.
It's OK. Just don't get in trouble again.
Yeah, well, I'll try.
Piper turned to leave again and she was just about to close the door behind her when she heard Alex's husky voice.
I'm serious, Pipes. Be careful.
Piper smiled at the nickname. She normally hated them but this time hearing it felt different, somehow better.
Bye, Alex. – and she finally turned to leave..
