'Over time it all became normal. The constant chatter, the flicker and buzz of the fluorescents, the excruciating tick of the clock – It became home. '
Piper slams the book shut and shoves it roughly in her satchel. She had started reading it two days earlier. It would probably be a quick read for anyone who wasn't Piper. Every few pages she would remember this wasn't just Alex telling a story this was her story to tell. The thought of the strong and powerful Alex Vause, the woman she fell madly in love with, behind bars was too much to endure in one sitting.
She slings the bag over her shoulder and heads towards the opening of Central Park – her go to place to sort her shit out. Since running into Alex the previous week she had spent many daunting hours here. The night before signing the contract she had wandered the park in to the late hours drinking wine concealed in a paper bag. Piper swore she wouldn't sign the contract, wouldn't let Alex get the best of her. She had shown up at the office fully prepared to give Alex a piece of her mind and throw the documents in her face.
That obviously had not worked out.
Polly was less than understanding when she told her. While she agreed it was a smart move for Fables she wasn't too keen on the amount of time Piper and Alex would be sharing. On the other hand Piper was battling a slew of emotions. Sure, she could try to keep things professional and end their arrangement on good terms when the time came. Perhaps, she could even subdue the sudden feelings that came crashing back. Ignore the flutter in her heart each time she came in contact with Alex.
Piper could try.
"Hey, kid."
Piper would fail.
She raises her eyes from the ground slowly taking in every spec of Alex. Her mouth is curved in a sly grin, one eyebrow arched, beaming green orbs locked with hers. In one hand she carries a picnic basket in the other an old blanket Piper immediately recognizes. It's the moment in the movies when girl falls in love all over again.
This is not the movies. Piper reminds herself this and fights every instinct telling her to run into the arms of Alex.
"Hi- er- uh- what are you doing here?"
"It's Sunday."
Piper's mouth is slightly askew when Alex turns motioning for her to follow. In the beginning – before Brussels and before Paris – when things were new and simple they would spend Sundays lounging in the park creating obnoxious backstories for passerby's.
"How did you know I would be here?"
"I called Fables. Katie said Sundays were your designated days off. I remembered how much you love fall in the park. I took a shot in the dark." She flashes a relieved grin laced with a bit of apprehension. "Guess it paid off."
"What if I wasn't here? What if I had other plans?"
Alex stops turning to Piper. "Do you?" She steps closer towering above the shorter woman. "Is there some where you would rather be?" It's more of a challenge than a question.
In true Piper fashion she says nothing just grabs the blanket from Alex and begins down the walkway. She can almost bet there is a bottle of wine, sandwiches, and a bowl of fruit in the basket. She also knows exactly where Alex is leading her. A small break in the trees down near the path – their place.
Alex lays the blanket in their spot before plopping down to empty the contents of the basket. Piper is surprised when she tosses a tattered and well broken in sweater her way. Alex always had a wardrobe the consisted of the latest fashion accompanied with pricey accessories, except that sweater. Maybe that is why Piper always chose that particular sweater to steal from her girlfriend, Alex had laughed telling her it was time to retire it for a new one. She ignored her, the sweater traveled with them all across the world and back collecting snags and stains along the way.
Piper takes a seat opposite Alex before taking the sweater and deeply inhaling it. When she opens her eyes Alex is biting a chuckle at the crazed looking woman.
"It still smells like that damn vodka from the Czech Republic. Remember that bar with the flaming shots?" Piper twists the sweater searching. "Here look." She holds it out towards Alex. "There's the burn mark."
Alex nods chuckling. "I remember. Do you, is the question? I had to practically pry you away from that place."
"Vaguely, I remember the smell."
Alex pushes the fruit towards her. "Me too, you smelled like rubbing alcohol for two days after."
Pipers' eyes grow wide. "No I didn't. Take it back." She shoves a snickering Alex.
"Okay. Okay. I take it back."
They stare at each other for a long while before Alex speaks up.
"You never did dress for the weather. You always wore sweaters to the tropics and skimpy dresses in the cold. I figured today was no different that's why I brought it along." She shrugs pouring the wine.
Piper pulls the sweater over her head offering a meek 'Thanks'. They share their lunch in mostly silence occasionally commenting on people on the trail.
"That guy right there – married, lawyer, two young kids, and a lingerie fetish."
"All guys like seeing women in lingerie, Al."
"That's not just limited to men y' know?" She wags her eyebrows towards Piper. "But I didn't mean he likes seeing women in lingerie. I mean he likes lingerie."
"Oh, Ohhh."
"Dirty fucker."
Piper pours the rest of the wine in her cup and slides a few feet closer to Alex on the blanket.
"Alex?"
"Yea?"
"The inscription in the book, what did you mean by it?"
Alex leans back resting on her palms staring off pass the trees and takes a deep breath before answering.
"Just because everything around us is different it doesn't mean we're different. I'm still the same Alex. The scenery has changed that's all." She turns to Piper gauging her reaction.
"I've changed so much though."
Alex looks to her smiling. "No. you haven't." She closes the space between them. "You're still the same Piper who resorts to Central Park when you've had a rough week, the woman with the quick temper. You still scrunch your nose in the same way when you laugh." She glides her knuckles across Pipers cheekbone. "You're the same Piper I fell in love with all those years ago."
All logic and sense out the window Piper slowly climbs on top of Alex straddling her. She runs her fingers through her dark tresses. Alex tilts her head closing her eyes, goose bumps forming under Pipers touch. With her fingertips she traces Alex's features slowly lingering on her luscious lips. Green irises meet hers and watch as she bites the inside of her own lips.
"I wanna kiss you." Piper whispers.
"So why don't you?" Alex can feel Piper breathing against her.
"It would ruin us."
"Or maybe we're already ruined." She barely finishes the sentence before tangling her free hand in Pipers hair and colliding against her lips.
As soon as she feels her soft lips against hers she parts her lips sliding her tongue against Alex's. It's familiar and new at the same time. She can feel Alex within every part of her, as if she has never truly left. Her hands caress her face pulling Alex into a deeper kiss. She wonders how she ever survived without this. Her hips move against Alex producing a soft moan from both parties.
It's after they hear a group of young boys whistling in the distance that they break away giggling remembering where they are. Piper leans her forehead against Alex smiling, her thumbs absently running against her face.
"Fuck you." Piper smiles knowing Alex understand precisely what she means.
Alex grins. "Fuck you too, kid." She kisses Piper once more, when she pulls away a moment later Piper is still reaching out for her, eyes closed. "It's getting late. I should get you home." With one quick movement she places Piper on the blanket next to her.
"Are you serious? You could have had me right here." She waves her hand around behind her. "In front of these people and you want to take me home?"
Alex chuckles as she packs up the basket and pushes Piper off the blanket so she can fold it. "Yeah and believe me when I say I hate myself right now. I want this Pipes, so fucking bad, but not like this."
Piper stands wrapping her arms around Alex's waist. "Take me back to your place." Alex stares into her eyes biting her lip shaking her head.
"I don't mean in the middle of the park, which could be interesting." Pipers smile falls. "I mean…I know how I feel… I need to know you won't wake up tomorrow and never want to see me again." Alex moves around Piper finishing the task at hand.
"How do you feel?" Alex gives her a look that says 'You know exactly how I feel' but doesn't actually say anything. Piper nods in response.
"C'mon I'll walk you home." She laces her fingers with Pipers and leads the way.
Aside from a few stolen glances and random banter the walk back to Pipers complex is quiet. She spots Larry before Alex quickly unraveling their hands. He is slouched against the front door on the step, possibly passed out. Piper rushes towards him, Alex trails slowly behind.
"Larry!"
His neck is twisted in an uncomfortable position with drool streaming down his face. Piper shoves him roughly while Alex suppresses a laugh at the pathetic man. His eyes shoot up at first on Alex in confusion then slowly they drift towards Piper and fill with relief in recognition.
"PIPES!" He screams before belching loudly emitting the rancid smell of alcohol. He scrambles to stand but just trips and falls back down.
This time Alex doesn't hold back laughing loudly. Piper glares at her as she reaches down to help her husband. It's no use. He is dead weight; she can't lift him on her own. When she turns to Alex for help she is grinning from ear to ear in amusement.
"Alex?" It's a plea mixed with regret.
Alex looks up smiling briefly before realizing what Piper is asking of her, the smile immediately disappears. "No. Fuck no." She backs up a few feet adamantly shaking her head.
"Please, just help me get him inside I can't lift him."
Alex scowls throwing the blanket and basket before reaching down and single handedly lifting him up and wrapping an arm around his waist. Piper offers an apologetic smile unlocking the front door.
Larry sulks as he examines the stranger hoisting him up. "You're tall." He slurs.
"I've been told." She snaps annoyed.
Once inside Alex discards him on the couch and watches him curl on his side in the fetal position. She can hear Piper scramble around in the kitchen. From the foyer she takes in the modest apartment. Scattered around are pictures of the two hugging and kissing, sharing the life she always wanted with Piper.
"Here. Drink this." Piper shoves a glass of water towards Larry. "I'll be back. There is a bucket here in case you get sick."
"Where are you going?" Larry cries sitting up.
"I have to walk…" Piper glances towards Alex. "...my friend out." The word friend taste like vile in her mouth.
Alex looks away unwilling to witness them together. Unwilling to be a visitor.
Piper runs her hand down her shoulder leading Alex to the door. Outside Piper can sense the change in her, the hurt.
"Thanks. I'm sorry you had to see that."
Alex looks anywhere but at Piper. "It's fine. I'll see you Friday." She turns to leave but Piper grabs her wrist pulling her back.
"Alex-"
"I said its fine, Pipes." She leans down placing a peck on Pipers temple before walking away and not looking back.
A lone tear trickles down Pipers cheek. She resents Larry and the life they live.
She doesn't belong here.
Authors Note: Have I mentioned you're all amazing? You are. Thank you so much for the reviews, follows, and favorites. So, here's the thing – I have an unnatural love for Halloween and all things that go bump in the night. With the story coinciding somewhat with real-time I have a few concepts in mind but I have a dilemma. That's where all of you wonderful people come in. If you had to choose the sexiest/cutest Halloween costume for Alex Vause, what would it be?