Bedford Hill.

Stella left her bunk and made her way to work duty. Alex had been spared work due to her injuries and as far as Stella could tell she spent the vast majority of her day laying on her bed, eyes closed. Whether she was asleep or not was anybody's guess. She hardly spoke and if she did it was only to Stella and then only when pushed.

Stella was lonely.

At Lichfield she had, for the majority of her sentence, kept herself to herself. It was Piper who drew her into the crowd, made her feel something again. When the time had come to leave Lichfield she had actually felt a little sad. The sadness was only to be leaving Piper, the one person to show her any real interest.

She knew her looks kept people at bay. They assumed the more masculine haircut and tatt's made her a threat. In reality, and she would sooner die than admit this to anyone, she used her appearance to keep people at a distance. It had worked with her parents after all!

Her other realisation on her imminent release had been quite simply. She had no-one. No-one to greet her, no one who was awaiting her release. No family, no friends, nobody.

She had taken the money on the spur of the moment. It would buy her a little time. But seeing the anger and hurt she had caused Piper made her feel shitty. Why had she hurt the one person who meant something to her? She had been doing it all her life. Nothing had changed.

Bedford was far worse than Lichfield. At least there, with shorter times to serve and the more lax timetable, meant for a level of freedom she hadn't appreciated at the time. Here they were kept under much stricter watch and from what she could tell the guard checks were not just bunks but all the little places that in Lichfield were used to store items such as cigarettes and phones.

She also realised pretty quickly most inmates had families. Visiting days were particularly emotional as the short time spent with the children they rarely saw left the inmates more than a little hostile when returning to the wing.

Stella had landed a job outdoors. At least for a few hours a day she got to be by herself while she picked up trash. Today as she stabbed at the paper with her fork she reflected on Alex's unexpected arrival. She had said she had been in hospital, but had not said what for. She was obviously emotionally on edge, but refused to talk. When she had mentioned Piper, Stella heard the catch in her voice and knew how badly she was missing her.

"Carlin! Wardens office. NOW!"

What? Why? She hadn't don't anything.

"Move it Carlin!"

Picking up her speed as she followed the officer, she began to run through the encounters of the past few days. Nothing. "Excuse me, why does the warden need to see me?"

"You'll find out when you get there." Was the unhelpful reply.

On entering the office Stella took the seat in front of the wardens desk and waited. He sat looking at her without speaking for many seconds making the feeling of unease within her grow. Just as she was about to break the silence he spoke.

"I heard from Lichfield today."

"Okay…" Stella had no idea where this was going.

"It seems you have met your new bunk mate before. Why didn't you tell us?"

"Should I have done?" Stella was confused. "I assumed you put her with me for that very reason."

"Mr Caputo tells me you two have history."

"Not really. We hardly spoke. We were not exactly friends either though." Stella decided to play down the role of Piper in her and Alex's past.

The warden continued to stare at her, unspeaking as he mulled over her words as if trying to decide if she was lying. Finally he said, "so what has Miss Vince told you about her change in identity?"

"Nothing really. She doesn't speak to me. She doesn't do anything. She said she regretted not changing her hair before coming here, I offered to cut it for her but nothing. She told me everyone at Lichfield thought she was dead but not why they thought that. She mentioned being in hospital but not why. Like I say she has told me nothing."

"Well now you are her cell mate it is up to you to keep an eye on her."

"What! I am not a guard, that's your job."

"I am not talking about protection Carlin, I am talking about her general well being. Lichfield think her mental state may be challenged."

"You don't say!"

"Why do you say that?

"Well if any of you people opened your eyes, or spoke to each other you would know putting someone with a new id with a past acquaintance was stupid. But even the most unobservant guard should have noticed in amongst all the checks you insist on doing that she is not eating. She doesn't go to meals even."

"She doesn't?" The warden sighed making notes as Stella spoke. "OK. Here's what I want you to do. I will make sure the kitchen has my authorization to give yo food to take to her cell for her. She wants to lie low which is understandable…"

"It is? Look I think it is about time someone told me what was going on."

"I cant do that."

"Then I cant help you."

"Look Carlin, this woman, whatever your differences, needs your help. I will call Caputo and see what clearance we have to pass on information to you but it may be down to Vince. If she says no then we simply can't tell you." Reaching into his desk draw he pulled out a brown bag. "There is some food in there. Give it to her. And if she agrees, you can use these." He placed some scissors into the bag before adding the proviso, "I want them back!"

Knowing she had been dismissed Stella made her way back to her cell. She was surprised when she got there to find it empty. Placing the brown bag on Alex bunk she sat on her own. She needed answers and the way she saw it the only person to give them to her was Alex herself.

Lichfield.

Healy looked at Red. "how is she?"

"How do you think she is! Whatever screwed up mess that relationship was it went deep. She should not have found out by a phone call."

Healy sighed. "No, you are right. But Red, my hands are tied here. I cant do anything." Caputo said "we just need to make sure she is safe."

Red snorted. "MCC have made that man as weak as they are. Hiding behind money and spreadsheets."

Nodding Healy sighed. "Has anyone else heard the news?"

"You mean after a prisoner collapses by the phone screaming and crying hysterically then needing to be restrained to get her from the phones to her bunk… no, no-one notice." Red laughed sarcastically. "Lets just say the gossip is so bad even in the visitors room it is all they are talking about. The women are trying to get information in from the outside."

"shit!" Healy sighed. When she seems like she is ready to listen tell her to come see me. Healy looked at Red, "take care of her."

Nodding Red went back to the kitchen. Chapman had been in a bad way when she had been brought back to the bunk. She had spent the last t24 hours curled in a ball. Not talking, crying quietly. Hearing from Poussey, who had been by the phones at the time, Red knew it had been her ex-fiancé she had called. Only later did Red discover the news he had passed on.

Vause had been illusive. Her connection with Chapman was tangible, had kept the inmates fascinated. But whatever it was between them it obviously went deeper than a prison fling.

Bedford Hill.

Passing the chapel Stella stopped. There she was. Opening the door she entered quietly. Alex was sat head in her hands three rows back from the front of the room. It was only on entering that Stella heard the quiet sobs. Moving quietly into the room she took a seat next to Alex.

"Hey."

"Go away!"

"No. I was called to the warden because of you. I need answers."

"Tough!" Alex rose to walk away, wiping her eyes as she did so.

"OK, your choice. But they have given me food for you and scissors to cut your hair. I don't know what you want but if you expect to remain invisible you ar3e going the wrong way about it."

She saw Vause pause and continued. "Think about it. At Lichfield you remained invisible by fitting in not by standing out. Right now they will be talking about the new woman with long dark hair who avoids meals has no job and is a total mystery. You are gossip fodder. You want it to stop, you want to blend in then you need to change your attitude!"

Alex looked at Stella. "Why should I trust you? What was it you tattooed on Piper, trust no bitch! You even proved how right that statement was."

"Because Vince, right now I am literally the only friend you have!" Standing to leave Stella added "The food and scissors are on your bunk. You want your hair cut we have an hour before everyone returns from work."

Alex waited until Carlin had left. She hated the fact the woman was right. Wallowing in self pity wasn't helping. If the warden really had called Carlin into his office it maybe meant he had finally spoken to Lichfield. Had he told Carlin more than she had let on? Knowing there was only one way to find out she reluctantly stood and exited the chapel.

Stella was sat on her bunk reading when Alex entered. She didn't look up or even acknowledge her entrance. The rare peace in the room made Alex feel a little comfort, but she still glanced round to check they were not being watched. She was grateful their bunk was far enough away from the bubble to stop the constant guard surveillance. Seeing the bag on her bed she opened it cautiously. Inside a pair of scissors, office stationary brand certainly not hair salon variety! Placing them next to her she found an apple, a wrapped sandwich and a cartoon of juice.

Suddenly consumed by hunger she ripped into the package and began to eat. Only when she was finished did she look up. Stella was still was still reading and seemingly ignoring her.

"So will you cut my hair?" she asked, unable to add the please, but hoping Stella would take pity on her.

Carlin looked up. "Sure. I always thought Justin Beiber was kinda hot!"

Alex smiled. "Yeah I guess I deserved that! Just cut it shorter…. Please." She finally added and was rewarded by Stella standing and picking up the scissors.

It only took 15 minutes. Feeling and seeing her hair fall to the floor made Alex nervous and she had to admit sad. When finally Carlin declared finished! She let her hand touch what was left of her hair. Now shoulder length all round she shuddered.

"You need to go wash it. I may need to trim more if it is uneven." Stella stated matter of factly.

Unable to move Alex stared at he pile of black hair laying at her feet. She felt the tears but could not say what had caused them.

"What's wrong?" Stella suddenly aware of Alex's tears moved back closer to her. "You said shorter, its not too short, just different, and the bangs, they will grow out when you are ready."

Alex now sobbing nodded.

Stella sat next to her. "You are angry?"

Alex shook her head.

"Sad?"

Nod.

Pulling the woman she would hardly call a friend into her arms Stella held her.

The physical contact was Alex's undoing. The touch of another human, in kindness rather than anger, her unravelling. The tears now sobs increased and unable to speak she just held onto the slim firm body holding her and let the emotions of the past few weeks go.

Stella closed her eyes. She could almost feel Alex's pain. Stroking her hair she just held her. The warden was right whether she wanted to admit it or not Alex needed her now.

A/N: A truce struck maybe? ;-) now for them to combine forces and sort out their respective lives. When Piper gets involved things get interesting :-D

Thanks once more for reading. I know Stella is not so popular but maybe, just maybe, she is not the villain here and can actually help.

A x