''Well, as you can see, I'm a soldier. –''

''Yes, I can see that.'' Piper said with a grin.

Alex gave Piper a smile. ''Yeah. Well, I'm about to go to a training camp, in two hours actually. After this training camp, I'm supposed to spend at least a year abroad, fighting for freedom, I guess...''

''You don't seem enthusiastic.'' Piper furrowed her brows.

''No, well, don't get me wrong, I signed up for this myself to help. It's just – the timing couldn't be any worse.'' Alex seemed to be considering how to continue.

''Can I tell you something?''

''You're already telling me something, my dear soldier, but sure, go on.'' Piper teased.

''It's just that,'' Alex bit on her bottom lip ''my sister and mom – they...'' Piper sensed that while Alex might be the one to suggest explaining herself to Piper, it seemed to weigh heavily on her mind. The brunette was fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, and seemed to suddenly be very interested in the seagulls fighting over a rotting fish just a couple of feet away.

''Look, Alex, you don't have to tell me okay? You're not obligated to explain why you didn't want to be alone. You just – you asked and I complied, and that's all that has to be to it. We can just sit for a while.''

Alex seemed to consider her offer for a while, but eventually shook her head.

''No, no, I want to tell someone.'' She paused before continuing. ''I want to tell you.''

''Well, okay then Alex, shoot.'' It dawned on Piper what she had said, and turned a deep shade of red. ''Um.. sorry, no pun intended.''

Alex chuckled. ''It's fine kid, really, I don't mind.'' She gave Piper a reassuring smile. ''So, I shall get this show on the road. I guess I'll begin with telling you why I wanted to be a soldier in the first place. I grew up with just my mom and my little sister Rachel. My deadbeat of a father bailed on my mom and me as soon as Rachel was born, so it was just the three of us. Throughout my childhood, my mom had to work three jobs to get food on the table. She did everything necessary in order to keep Rachel and I happy and fed. She was always working so hard, and I – I don't know I guess I wanted to cut her a break. So, when I heard someone talking about earning quite some money in the military, I decided to sign myself up. It's just that.. it's not really necessary anymore – ''

''Did you mom get a better job?'' Piper inquired with a sweet smile.

''Well, no, not really.'' Alex gave Piper a hesitant smile back. ''It's just that, my mom and my sister – they.. um.. well, they died.''

Piper gasped. ''Oh Alex, I'm so sorry.'' Piper laid a hand on Alex's shoulder.

''Thanks, but it's not your fault. There was this driver, he was drunk. My mom was driving Rachel back from ballet lessons. My mom – she tried, you know? She tried to turn the wheel, but it was too late. Bastard had run a red light. They died on impact. ''

Alex had this faraway look in her eyes again, and Piper didn't really know how to reach her, how to get her back in the present. She heard sniffling beside her.

''Rachel was so young, you know? She was my baby sister. She was only nine. I was going to teach her,'' Alex sniffed ''I was going to teach her how to ride a bike, help her with her homework, get her over her first broken heart, and that bastard – he took that all away from me – from us..'' Alex trailed off.

Piper was conflicted on what to do. She wanted to take the beautiful girl in her arms, and take away the pain, but thought they didn't know each other well enough for such a thing. Plus, dealing with emotional crisis had never been Piper's strong suit. In her family everyone just pretended they were fine, at all times. She was never taught to comfort someone, but something about Alex just made her want to try, instead of running for the hills the first chance she got.

''I'm so sorry you had to go through that,'' Piper made eye contact with Alex ''may I ask why you're still going. I mean – the main reason you went was for your mom. Why not stay?''

''They were all I had.'' Alex simply said. ''My father, ugh I don't even want to think about him. And other than him, I have no family left anymore. I was never really popular either, so I don't really have friends I could stay for. I'm on my own, and by going to war I might be able to help some people. I could do good for the world. If I stay – I.. I would just get lost in my misery. So, instead of letting that happen, I will be a soldier, I suppose.''

Piper seemed to consider this for a while, before a beaming smile broke through. ''You, Alex Vause, are the most selfless person I know.''

A/N

Next up is Alex leaving :(. So, I know the song has quite a sad ending, and I'm still considering whether or not I will follow that storyline. Regardless, please post reviews so I know what you guys think, and as always, thank you for reading, following etc, you rock!