Chapter 5.1: Getting Clean

"Alex, that was…"

"Yeah."

"That was fucking amazing, you were fucking amazing," Piper gasped between deep breaths.

"What did you expect? I'm out of prison with a real hunger for some pussy."

Piper smiled as Alex moved in closer.

"And once I get a taste I never quit."

"Like me and the star wars jokes?"

"Way to kill the moment Pipes, but yeah exactly."

Alex shook her head and flashed that grin at Piper in the same way she'd done in the bar all those years grin was the thing Piper liked most, the surprise and wild adventure that Alex had brought to her. She wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.

Then what the fuck was she doing? Why was she working with Kubra after he was ready to kill Alex? Wasn't the whole point honesty and a better life? But honestly what choice did she have? What life would she have without the money and the power?

"What is it Pipes? You seem to have some distanced look there for a second."

"What does it not look sexy."

"Come on Pipes, really what is it?" Alex probed earnestly.

"It just feels so perfect. After all this we're just here together, still young, still vibrant with our whole lives in front of us. We've made mistakes before but that won't happen again. We're free and will never be bound again, but what am I rambling on about? Why don't we just focus on our trip to Cambodia right now and save the bizarre reflection for later?"

"Sure. The trip still seems a little sudden; to take off so quickly, but it isn't like I'm ever going to refuse a free trip to Cambodia with you Piper."

"Free? Well I forgot to mention there is a work component," Piper said slightly.

Alex raised an eyebrow with a smile. "And what's the work component?"

"Well I think we need to seriously work on our dance skills. That is in and out of bed."

Piper moved her lips to Alex's ear and whispered, "I have a buffet of new positions I think you should really enjoy and I know some good clubs there to party at."

Alex smiled, but moved away from Piper. "I honestly can't wait, but we should probably get ready for the flight before we continue this tango."

"Right, let's pack and get going before the traffic picks up."

"This is New York city Pipes, does the traffic ever die down?"

"Yeah, there's a rare window between 2 and 4 am on certain days like today."

"Doing a lot of night driving are you Pipes? Should I be concerned."

"No, I just have places to be at odd hours."

"Like where?"

"Not important. Why don't we start packing," Piper replied quickly a she turned away from Alex.

"Okay, but what the fuck am I supposed to pack? I mean the only shirt I have is laying on the floor here, and it's scratchy as fuck."

"Oh Alex, don't you remember the old Piper saying that I came up with all those years ago; I'm Always Prepared."

"That' just an egocentric modification of the boyscout's code."

"Whatever, just come with me."

Piper swiftly took Alex by the hand and whisked her off down the hall. It felt strange to be pulled around so briskly by Piper, but Alex let Piper lead her until they arrived at their apparent destination 30 seconds later. It was another room on the opposite side of the massive apartment, but Alex couldn't tell much more than that. Piper released her clutch on Alex's hand, and pushed opened the door. Alex stepped through the threshold of the room, after Piper, and looked around.

She was standing in a rather large bedroom that was just a tad smaller than the master bedroom Piper occupied. There was a king sized bed in the right corner of the room that faced a large flatscreen TV in front of it. The room was also populated by a large number of wooden monkey carvings that hung uniquely in different positions. There was also a large painting of a solemn well dressed dark haired man on the left wall. The painting creeped Alex out majorly. The guy had dead eyes that seemed to glare beyond the painting right at her. Maybe it was just her imagination, but the guy's eyes seemed to flash red for a split second before fading back to their dark brown color. Alex was about to comment on the painting when Piper moved to the other side of the room and stood by the large wardrobe. Alex walked over to it and ran her hand down the smooth wood surface.

"It's nice. But is Narnia behind here or what?"

Piper answered by opening the wardrobe to reveal a multitude of different clothes.

There were fine silk dresses, and soft sweaters. Expensive dress clothes and worn in blue jean. The wardrobe must have held at least a hundred clothing articles.

"Well Alex this is your new wardrobe, literally."

"Wait, these are all mine?" Alex asked as she ran her hands over the different materials.

"Exactly. I thought you'd appreciate the selection of clothes. You've never been much of a fashion fanatic, but you do have a taste for fine clothes and some variety. So I did some shopping for you"

"Pipes I don't know what to say..."

"You don't need to say anything. I love you and just want to show you how much you mean to me."

"Thankyou so much."

"You're always welcome Alex. Now I'm going to grab a couple suitcases and leave you alone with your new outfits for a minutes."

Piper flashed Alex a smile then vanished. Alexwas now alone in the room. She turned to the wardrobe, but felt a sudden chill run down her spine. It felt like she was being watched by some sinister entity. Alex glanced around the room as she searched for the mysterious lurker. The nice looking wooden monkeys no longer seemed friendly; their sharp teeth coiled menacingly at her and made Alex even more uncomfortable. Alex slowly backed up against the wall as she stared around for some indicator of her nameless fear. She was just started to star in the direction of the painting when she heard a slight click from the wall behind her. Alex spun around slowly towards the noise and saw that the wall panel behind her had opened up and was now a small swinging door. She peered inside the hidden space as even more chills ran through her.

The small compartment was almost exactly like Kubra's fail safes. Her mind throbbed as she recalled the time where Kubra had been attacked. They were in one of his places in Istanbul when there had been gunfire outside. Kubra had quickly escorted her to a wall just like this. Inside there had been a metal lined container about 2 by 2 meters filled with a couple bags and envelopes. He'd told her to hide there, and had proceeded to seal her into the wall safe. It was dark and Alex could only remember the throb of her heartbeat. She'd clawed through the envelopes and found only money and drugs at first, but then she'd found a gun. It was hidden under a couple of other bags, but she got it and had waited anxiously in the dark for hours. Her fingers were locked around the weapon as she had stared anxiously into the darkness.

What the hell was she thinking. This box in the wall was the right size, but there was no way it could be Kubra's. She was just being paranoid again. All she had to do was focus and get past it. But then again…

"Hey Alex you almost forgot something," Piper interrupted.

Alex wheeled around like a deer in the headlights, her face flushing. "Yeah, what is it?" She managed to articulate.

Piper's smile turned into a look of concern as she swiftly but delicately ushered Alex into sitting down on the bed. Piper sat beside her and lightly gripped her hand.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I'm fine," Alex said as she looked away.

"If the trip is too soon I can always cancel and…"

"No that's not the problem." Alex stood quickly and started pacing. Her callused fingers ran roughly through her unwashed hair making her feel even worse.

"Alex it's okay. Just let me in here. I know how it is to be alone and I want you to know there's no need. I can help, just tell me what's on your mind. It doesn't have to be anything life changing, just something to start allowing me to help you."

"I just don't want you to see me like this Pipes. This isn't who I am."

"I know Alex. You're a vibrant and beautiful woman who sure as fuck knows how to punish a pussy. You sold a shit ton of heroin without a sweat and survived mother fucking prison. Now the world is yours for the taking. You can do anything you want, just bend the universe to your will."

"I just can't do it. I really want to be happy to regain control, but I can't. If I can't control my own mind how the fuck am I supposed to bend the universe to my control."

"Well you just don't need to try. Here, let me show you."

Gently Piper stood up and lightly took Alex's arm. She gently escorted Alex to the master bathroom.

"What's this about?"

"It's time to get clean Alex, to let the water wash away your struggles."

Before Alex knew what was happened Piper had her naked in the huge shower. But instead of attacking her with sexual fury Piper just held Alex as she turned on the hot water and allowed it to tumble down their bodies in a torrent of pure heat.

"This is what a real shower feels like, what it's like to let go of all your problems and just be. No emotion, no judgement, just pure being."

Alex could feel it. The hot water melted her anxiety as she felt all her muscle relax. Alex moved in to kiss Piper gently in the perfect heat. Piper kissed her back with equal delicacy. Alex felt her muscles loosened and the pure sensation of the heat washed through her. Alex threw her steam covered glasses aside and just enjoyed the sensation of being cleansed.

Little did Alex know that less than a meter away from her, $2,000,000 in dirty cash lay hidden behind the tile of that very shower.

Author's notes: So I'll admit that chapter was a bit weird. Not a lot happened but it sets up the next bit rather well. Don't worry the action will pick up soon. But in the meantime I hope you enjoyed this chapter and a more interesting one will be out next week. Thanks for reading!