The aroma of fresh greens, sauteed in garlic and butter filled Piper's nose as she unlocked the heavy loft door. She stood for a moment, keys in hand, eyes slightly close and breathed. She only came out of her trance like state by a low, husky voice that called out.

"Pipes? Hey, get your ass in here woman!" Her throaty laugh followed. Piper walked into the spacious kitchen to find Alex bent over the gas stove, adding some wine from a bottle of Merlot into a pot full of mussels. Her dark hair was held firmly back with a pair of glasses.

Piper slipped off her heels and tried to sneak her way behind Alex for a surprise kiss. Alex turned at the same moment and grabbed her, easily lifting her off her feet. Piper let out a surprised gasp and giggle as Alex slowly let her down. Their bodies slid against each other softly. Alex bent slightly to reach Piper's lips and kissed her softly, playfully nibbling her bottom lip.

"It's good to see you too." Piper said and flashed a sweet smile.

"Ugh, I've been slaving away all night, making you this exquisite dinner and now I just want to let it all burn and take you on the counter." She raised an eyebrow, waiting for Piper to oblige.

"Mm, but it smells so good. I haven't eaten all day. You know I live for your nights off so I can come home to your cooking." Alex gently backed Piper against the black granite kitchen island and ran her long fingers slowly down Piper's neck to a button on her shirt. Piper let her continue to the middle of her shirt then grabbed her hands.

"Vause...behave." Alex smirked and returned to the stove.

"Well at least get out of those work clothes and come keep me company while I finish." She sprinkled some herbs here and there into various pots.

Piper went into the large open space of the loft that served as the bedroom. Their dueted art pieces hung on the walls, Alex's hard brush strokes mingled with Piper's soft wisps of color. She changed quickly into her usual shorts and the first t-shirt she randomly grabbed from Alex's drawer. She took down her hair and went into the bathroom to wash her face free from make-up. She moved back into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, flexing her feet and rolling her shoulders. It had been a long day of staring at appeals and phone calls.

"You look worn out, Pipes." Alex was suddenly standing near the bed.

"I'm not used to being so busy. Lots of cases with the potential to be appealed. My eyes feel like they're sticking to the inside of my lids." Alex climbed onto the bed behind her and began to massage her shoulders. Piper let out a long sigh and started to relax.

"You're working too hard. We should skip town for a while. I see white sand and nude beaches. What do you think?" Piper sighed again and leaned back into Alex's chest. Alex wrapped her arms around her and kissed her neck softly.

"You know I have to head back upstate in a few days. I have to talk to a few girls who can barely write out their names and try to help them through the process. I don't remember prison being so full of uneducated women. It makes me sad." Alex ran her hands through Piper's hair and massaged her scalp.

"You're doing great, babe. You deserve some time off. You're starting to walk around like a zombie." Piper leaned her head back and Alex met her lips for a deep kiss. Alex's hands began to wander around Piper's waist and up to her breasts. She caught her fingers at the edges of the t-shirt and slowly pulled it off, letting Piper's hair cascade down her naked back. Alex's hands moved to the small of Piper's back and expertly massaged. "You're tense, Pipes. I can feel it here," she pressed against a tight muscle in her back, "and here," she moved her hands to the front of her shoulders and rubbed. Her hands slid over Piper's breasts again, down her stomach and between her legs, applying pressure. "and here." Piper let out a whimper at her touch and arched back against Alex. Alex applied more pressure and felt wet heat against her fingers. She slid her fingers under the band of Piper's shorts and pulled them down, lifting her a bit to slide them under her butt. Piper kicked them away. Alex wrapped her long legs around Piper's waist and licked a trail from her neck to her collarbone. She rubbed gently at the bottom of the v created by Piper's panties, teasing.

"Alex...the food." Alex didn't move her hand away but released some pressure.

"Fuck the food. I want to taste you." Alex pushed her hand down Piper's panties and slightly opened her up to feel how wet she was.

"You're ready for me...come on baby." Alex's voice sounded pained, full of wanting. Piper grabbed her hand and pulled it out of her panties. Alex made a noise of protest but let her.

"Okay. Let's go see if the food isn't ruined yet." She left Piper on the bed, half naked and breathing hard. She threw the t-shirt back over her head, forgetting the shorts and followed after Alex to the kitchen. Alex was sipping at the sauce from the pot of mussels.

"You know, they say mussels are an aphrodisiac." Alex's back was stiff and she didn't reply. Piper moved behind her and hugged her around the waist. "What?" Alex turned around and stared into her eyes.

"What? Seriously? Piper...you've been teasing me for weeks like this. You get all into it and then bail just when we're starting to get hot. What's the problem? I know you fucking want it. I just felt how wet you are. Are you trying to kill me?" Her voice sounded serious. Low and quiet. Piper wasn't sure what to say.

"We had sex like...four days ago, Alex." Alex sighed and leaned over the stove.

"We, did not have sex. I fucked you and you fell asleep in my arms." Piper bit her lip nervously.

"I've been tired. I'm sorry." She reached out to pull Alex's hair behind her ear but Alex moved away from her.

"What's going on? Are you still punishing me for last year? Jesus, I thought we were past all that. It was one fucking mistake. You were supposed to be helping me stay away from the drugs, Piper. You said you would fucking help me and then you left. You always fucking leave when shit gets too heavy. So yeah...I fucked a random chick from a bar, high out of my mind, because you weren't fucking there." Piper stared at her in disbelief.

"You're seriously going to blame me for your fuck up? I told you I would leave if you started using. I kept you as far away from temptation as I could Alex. You are a self destructive. I never agreed to be your fucking babysitter. That was your fault. And fuck you for even thinking about blaming me. Fuck your food. I'm going to bed."