Wow I can't say enough how amazing the support for this story has been...thank you thank you thank you. I wouldn't call this a filler chapter but it's a little mellow. Piper and Alex still have a long way to go and only a few short days to figure things out! I hope you enjoy.

Piper tossed from her back to her stomach and back again. The clock on the bedside table seemed to be mocking her as the bright red lights flipped from 4:23 to 4:24. She officially couldn't sleep.

"Ugh," she groaned into the pillow she was covering her face with.

There really should be no reason she couldn't sleep, not after the exhausting fight she had with Alex. Piper was not about to admit it was that fight that was keeping her awake. It's not like Alex disclosed she was no longer in the cartel or back in school or bettering herself to be the person Piper always knew she could be. No none of that, she was chalked it up to continued jetlag.

Piper sat up in bed and looked around for something to occupy her mind. She got out of bed and walked over to the sliding glass door that lead onto the balcony. The one bonus to being awake at such an early hour was the gorgeous night it was. The stars practically popped out of the sky and the moon reflected beautifully off the water. With all the light pollution in New York she would never get to see a sight like this. Even though it was summer the early hour gave the air a much needed coolness. Forgetting everything else going on around her, in this very moment she was happy.

Piper walked back into her room and out into the living room. She paused seeing Alex laid out on the pullout couch sound asleep. She had her own sliding glass door open and a gentle breeze rolled through. Sighing Piper walked over and fixed the blanket Alex had kicked off. She smiled to herself remembering all the nights she woke up cold because Alex, the human furnace, kicked off the covers.

There was a time where Alex was her whole life. What had started as a whirlwind romance tuned into a serious relationship. Piper had thought she had found her one, her person that she would be with forever. As quickly as it started though it had all fallen apart when Alex loved the cartel more than her. The cartel which she was no longer a part of. Piper shook her head still not willing to come to terms with that disclosure.

Piper walked back into her room and back out onto the balcony. Her mind was spinning out and she knew there was no way she would be sleeping tonight. Instead, she took slow deep breaths trying to settle herself as she watched the horizon every so slightly turn brighter.

At some point she must have dozed off because she jumped slightly when she heard a chair slide against the floor of the balcony. She looked over and saw Alex was awake and sitting on the balcony just off the living room. Alex looked a little surprised, almost confused to see Piper awake. After a moment she got up and walked back into the living room.

Piper was a little surprised by Alex's actions. They certainly didn't have to talk but they could share a 40-foot balcony in peace…or so she thought.

"Morning," Alex said from behind Piper and handing her a cup of coffee.

Alex had her own cup in hand as she sat down in a lounger beside Piper. Now it was Piper's turn to be confused.

"A sunrise, especially one as beautiful as this, should be shared," Alex explained, "Nothing more, nothing less."

Piper just nodded in agreement.

"Thanks for the coffee."

"You're welcome. I was honestly a little surprised to see you awake."

"Yeah that would imply at some point I was asleep," Piper mumbled into her cup.

"You haven't slept?"

Piper just shook her head in the negative.

"Jesus Pipes I have sleeping pills if it happens again."

Piper nodded once again, but that was the end of their conversation for the time being. Over the next hour Piper and Alex sat in silence sipping their coffee and watching a new day be born. Even though they weren't saying anything, sharing this beautiful sunrise really was better than watching it alone.

"You going to go back to bed? I am going to head to a farmer's market the front desk was telling me about if you wanted to come."

Piper thought about making a snark comment, but honestly she was simply too tired. The lack of sleep was really getting to her but she knew she still wasn't going to sleep. It might not have been under the circumstances she thought, but she didn't want to waste the chance to see this beautiful city.

"Sure, I just need a shower first."

"Oh yeah ok no problem," Alex said trying to cover her surprise at the accepted offer.

Piper headed back inside and Alex gave her a few minutes to get herself together and into the shower…she was the one would had all the doors removed after all. Once she heard the shower turn on Alex went back into the living room to get herself together. She wasn't expecting Piper to spend a lot of time with her, but that didn't mean Alex was going to pass up on the opportunity to explore the city on her own. Piper joining her was just an added bonus.

Alex was sitting on the couch waiting for Piper but she wasn't ready for what she saw. Piper walked out of the bedroom donning a beautiful yellow sundress. Alex was at a loss of words, she had never seen Piper so beautiful. Gone was the girl trying to figure out who she was and standing before her was the confident woman she became.

"Hey you ready," Piper asked double checking the contents of her purse?

"Umm yeah lets head out," Alex said jumping up.

Alex was surprised they share pleasant small talk as they left the hotel and walked the few blocks over to the outdoor market. Just last night they were yelling at each other as they headed to bed and now they were at least speaking peacefully. They had a fiery and intense past but their relationship had never been more combustible than right now. At any moment one of them could say or do something that would set the other off and they would be right back to where they started. It would be easy to just walk on eggshells around each other, but Alex was going to take advantage of whatever calm she could get.

"I think we need to start with another coffee so you don't pass out on me," Alex smiled.

"No arguments here. I might need coffee through an IV drip today."

"If you're too tired we can head back whenever."

"No, I have always wanted to come here and if I run myself into the ground today than I will be certain to sleep tonight."

"If you don't pass out by 10 I am giving you a sleeping pill. I'm already a little worried you didn't sleep last night; two nights is dangerous."

Piper tried to hide it but a small smile formed on her lips. They might have been fighting off and on while trying figure their shit out, but it was nice to hear Alex cared about her wellbeing.

"Again, no arguments here."

Piper and Alex headed over to a coffee stand. One of the first things Piper learned about Alex was that she was a coffee snob. She had tried damn near every coffee shop in the city and only about a dozen met her standards. She refused any chain brand coffee as it was "mass produced sugary garbage." Any time a new shop opened up Alex would try the coffee and quickly decide if it deserved a repeat visit. Needless to say Piper trusted Alex when it came to her coffee choices.

"Oh, you need to try this…1 black please," Alex asked the barista.

"Really Al? You know I hate black coffee."

"When have I ever steered you wrong here? And I know you hate, hate black coffee but just try it first and then you can gunk it up," Alex smirk knowing Piper liked a pound of sugar and gallon of cream in her coffee.

"All right fine I will try it."

Alex was practically giddy when she passed the cup to Piper who was still hesitant.

"Come on, I promise this is life changing."

Piper look skeptical but took a small sip. She wasn't sure if it was because she was overly tired or the coffee really was life changing but she had to admit that was the best tasting coffee she had ever had.

"Damn that's good."

"I told you so," Alex smiled brightly.

"You know I am still going to gunk it up, but it's so smooth."

"You hurt my heart Piper Chapman, but at least I got you to try good coffee," Alex said ordering another one for herself.

Once Piper destroyed her perfect cup with cream and sugar and Alex had her drink they started wondering around the market.

"There are so many beautiful fruits and vegetables here…kinda makes me wish we had a kitchen to cook in."

"So, you could burn it down," Alex asked?

"Ok so I could watch you cook me dinner," Piper laughed.

"I still can't believe our entire building had to evacuate and the fire department had to show up all because you tried to boil water."

"I really tried to make you dinner…I had no idea the pot handle would get so hot the towel went up in flames," Pier could help but laugh as how bad a cook she really was. "I did take cooking lessons though. I can now successfully make grilled cheese."

"Impressive. You will have to show me sometime."

Piper nodded but a sudden sadness filled her chest. There really wouldn't be a sometime with them. This was a week long contract and at the end of the time they would fly back to America and go their separate ways.

"Hey, don't worry about it, it was just a comment," Alex said knowing what Piper was thinking, "lets go check out those berries over there. My mouth is watering just looking at them."

Piper smiled at Alex's attempt to distract her and decided to just let it go and enjoy today for what it was. These were two people who immensely enjoyed spending time together when they weren't hurting each other. They had a lot in common and shared similar taste in books, travel and culture as well as a constant need to learn.

After wondering around for the better part of an hour trying little samples of food they ventured over the more artsy side of the market. There was so maybe beautiful handmade jewelry pieces, woven rugs, paintings and sculptures.

"I swear I could spend a fortune here if I had a way to get it home."

"Well, we will be taking an airplane home," Alex chuckled sarcastically.

"Ok, wiseass I meant without it getting damaged. I doubt those airline employees really handle with care."

"Get whatever you what I will get it shipped home."

Piper looked at her a skeptical eyebrow raised.

"What? I might be out of the business but I still have connections."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"OK, thanks."

"No, problem. I am going to head over there and check a few things out I will be you back here in a bit," Alex said knowing Piper wouldn't be leaving the artwork anytime soon.

"Cool."

And that was how the rest of their day went. They wondered from area to area mostly window shopping but occasionally buying a few unique pieces. Alex was impressed Piper was still functioning after having not slept the previous night. She figured once they stopped moving she would drop. They headed back to the hotel around 4 figuring they could have an early dinner.

When they got back to the room Alex suggested just ordering room service and watching a movie. Piper looked like she was going to crash at any moment and would be lucky to make it through dinner.

"I think staying in would be good. I might pass out after dinner and hopefully not wake up until tomorrow."

"Ok, I will order us some food go sit on the couch and get comfortable. See if there is a movie you like."

Piper walked over to the couch glad Alex had remember to put the bed away. She picked up the remote and started flipping though film options. She didn't want things getting weird with any romantic comedy's but she wanted the day to remain light and settled on straight comedy. You can't get mad when laughing right?

"Yes and there needs to be no peanuts or traces of it around when preparing this food….yes there is a pretty severe allergy," Alex explained to whoever she was talking to.

Piper turned to Alex a little shocked. She shouldn't be surprised Alex remembered, but she was.

"Ok, food should be here in 30 minutes. Find anything good," Alex asked sitting down on the couch?

Piper didn't respond.

"Hello, earth to Piper anyone home?"

"Huh…oh sorry."

"You ok?"

"Yeah…it's just you remembered I have the peanut allergy."

"Trust me that is something I will never forget…not after the way I discovered you had one."

Piper couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Yeah its funny now but having to jab my girlfriend in the thigh with an Epi-pen not so funny in the moment."

"I honestly still can't believe that happened."

"I literally hadn't been home in like 3 weeks and you already on your way over so I didn't have time to go out and getting anything but I was starving so I made a PBnJ sandwich. It is not my fault you jammed your tongue down my throat the minute you walked in the door," Alex laughed.

"I am surprised I wasn't traumatized from kissing you and then not being able to breath."

"I've got skills," she smirked.

"I thought I was the one with the talented tongue."

"Not untrue," Alex winked, "I think we both were a little traumatized though. For like a month you would always ask me if I had peanut butter before kissing me."

"And you would always ask if I had my Epi-pen on me…literally anytime we were out."

"Kissing you and having you stop breathing was bad enough, you dying because you didn't have an Epi-pen…that…there wouldn't have been any coming back from that," Alex said trying to keep her emotions in check.

"Hey, I'm ok…I'm right here," Piper said grabbing Alex's hand for comfort.

Alex took a moment to just memorize the feel of Piper touching her again. She wasn't sure she would ever get the chance again.

"Thanks," she said softly.

"No problem."

The two settled back into the couch and started to watch a movie. Their dinner had arrive and the spread it out on the coffee table each picking at their meal as the movie played out. Barely 30 minutes in and with Pipers dinner not really touched Alex looked over and saw Piper almost asleep.

"Piper," she whispered not wanting to startle her.

She only got a mumble of a response.

"Piper let's get you into bed."

"No, comfy," she mumbled leaning towards Alex and resting her head on her shoulder.

"Pipes really we should get you into bed."

But there was no response as Piper's body became dead weight against her, she was finally asleep. Alex didn't want to move her, she justified that as not wanting to wake Piper but really she just waned to hold Piper again. They had a really good day and she couldn't think of a better way to end it. At some point she would eventually carry Piper into the bedroom but for now this was the perfect way to end the day. Whatever tomorrow would bring she would deal with it tomorrow.