Chapter 9

A/N: Happy New Year guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Please leave a review! They are highly appreciated!

I do not own anything, I just made the story! :)

"I asked if you were doing okay and if you were having headaches and any other kinds of pain." Dr. Smith asked chuckling. He continued talking while eyeing Piper who was equally flustered but was able to let out chuckles. Piper was shocked, happy and sad at the same time as she was nervous asking Alex to be her girlfriend. "I see that Piper is here to keep you company." Dr. Smith said looking at Alex and then at Piper.

Dr. Smith is one of the doctors that Piper liked working with. He has been a senior resident in the hospital for more than ten years which could tell how he is really used to what he is doing as a neurologist.

Piper knew too well why the doctor is inquiring. There are certain rules when it comes to nurse-patient or even doctor-patient relationships may it be by blood, a simple friendship or romantic involvement. Piper is also aware that by far, she isn't really encompassing or breaking any rules. but she is expecting a reminder from Dr. Smith.

"Nurse Chapman, I didn't know you are related to Ms. Vause." The doctor smiled with a hint of inquiry in his tone, silently seeking for an answer. It was all too obvious when Piper kissed Alex on the cheek lovingly with fervor earlier, but the doctor just wanted to confirm. When he got nothing from the women who were just shrugging, he decided to ask innocently. "Is Alex your g-…" The doctor was cut off by Alex.

"Gummy bear." The raven-haired woman said nodding not wanting the situation to be awkward but making it as equally awkward as it is by what she just said. She didn't want to dive into that question especially when they just got cut off with the actual conversation about their 'label'.

Nicky had a tough time stifling her laugh. Everyone was looking at Alex who was now scarlet, but Alex looked at Nicky who mouthed a "Gummy bear? Really?" to the raven-haired woman. In exchange Alex squinted her eyes in embarrassment and annoyance.

"Okay. Gummy bear it is." Dr. Smith chuckled lightly and then cleared his throat. "So, I am here now to explain your options for the treatment of your aneurysm. If you want me to stop it's okay." Dr. Smith said in a very caring and serious tone while still having a smile on his face. He eventually proceeded to talking about Alex's condition.

Dr. Smith explained three other procedures that may be done to Alex's unruptured berry aneurysm aside from what Piper suggested. It turns out that Piper was right, the doctor highly recommended flow diverters for Alex's case as he explained to everyone the pros and cons of the procedure.

Alex reached out to Piper for contact in the middle of the doctor's explanation. It is as if holding hands will ease everything out and will make everything easier. True enough, it did. It made Alex relax more than she could ever be. She never considered doing the treatment before up until Piper explained to her everything in the simplest form.

Wheels are turning around in Alex's head and everyone could see it. No one spoke up for about a minute up until Alex spoke up. "Is it okay if I think about it first?" She asked with hoping eyes.

The doctor smiled. "Of course. You may think about it and talk about it with your family." The doctor gestured around. Dr. Smith knew the Vauses, meaning Alex and Diane, well because since Alex was diagnosed with aneurysm when she was 18, he has been the tall woman's doctor.

"Thanks, doc." Alex smiled. "Oh, uhm, am I allowed to play basketball already?" Alex inquired with hopeful eyes. She knew that she has a game coming up the next week.

"I'm afraid you cannot play yet, Alex. You cannot engage in any forms of tiring physical activity. I am going to discharge you from here the day after tomorrow but, you need to drink the medications that I will be giving you for two weeks. And it is only after three days when you can run again, but I want to make sure and make it a week." The doctor said while jotting down extra notes in Alex's chart.

"Shit. We have a game next week." Nicky said worriedly but she thought deeply about it remembered something. "Oh, the game is against the Purples so, it won't be too bad without you, I guess." Nicky says shrugging which elicited a laugh from Alex.

This earned questioning looks from everyone. "Purples are the weakest team in the league. That's why." Alex said shrugging as well.

"Well, you still can't play against the weakest team of the league if it's next week. You will be cleared to play the week after, though." Dr. Smith confirmed. "Piper, Alex isn't allowed to play until after two weeks, remind your 'gummy bear' about that." The doctor used air quotes while saying 'gummy bear' which elicited chuckles from everyone.

Piper and Alex looked at each other with laughing eyes but both conveying the same message that the label "gummy bear" would do for now while nothing is official yet.

The blonde shook her head as she had a question for the doctor. "Okay. Oh, and uhm, her temperature is still a bit higher than normal, are you going to give her some paracetamol or something?" Piper inquired.

"Oh, good thing you told me…" The doctor said while turning the page of Alex's chart. "Sorry, I usually just rely on what my immediate nurse tells me. Larry didn't tell me about that. And…" He points on the chart and then jots down notes again. "There. Yes, your temperature is a bit high. So, yes, Piper, I would give some paracetamol to Alex." The doctor noted and then rolled his eyes whilst making a mental note to ask Larry about the lack of information about Alex.

"He's probably jealous." Nicky says nonchalantly.

"Jealous about what?" Diane asked.

"Oh, who's jealous of who? That curly haired nurse outside?" Red asked innocently. She actually saw Larry go out of Alex's room the previous day and assumed that he is this 'Larry' person. Nicky nodded in agreement.

"He obviously has the hots for Piper and then earlier, blondie over here…" Nicky says pointing at Piper whilst continuing. "…put on a lesbian show." Nicky says chuckling.

"Hey! I didn't put on any show. I just… Alex isn't very comfortable of syringe needles and she… needed… comforting." Piper said shyly trailing off.

"And she was very comforting." Alex confirmed smirking which earned an eyeroll from Red and Diane while Dr. Smith and Nicky threw their heads back in laughter. Piper blushed deeply.

"Well, he can't be always jealous." The doctor started clearing his throat to stop the chuckles. "I would assign Piper to you but if you guys are officially 'gummy bears'…" The doctor says using air quotes once again as he started chuckling with Nicky, Diane and Red. "…then you know that you can't." The doctor finished looking at the blonde.

"I know." Piper said a bit sadly.

"Okay, Alex. I will wait for your answer. I will leave you guys to it so that you can all have a good night." Dr. Smith said as he started walking to the door to exit.

"Thanks, doc." Alex said with her mind now almost decided.


The next day, Alex had visitors. She was visited by her team mates who heard what happened as they caught up with Alex. She was also visited by some of her workmates and other acquaintances who are friends of friends that she has known.

Her room has been busy due to the number of visitors. Alex was well known around their town because of her skills in basketball and because of Pearl's. Not everyone knows that she owns it but almost everyone knew that she worked there.

Piper had her usual shift in the hospital from 8am-5pm. Right after Dr. Smith talked to Alex last night, she spent a little more time chitchatting with Alex, Diane, Red and Nicky. Eventually, Nicky had to leave with Red and Diane stayed with Alex. Piper insisted for Diane to take the bed as she needed to go home to prepare for her 8 am shift.

Having said that, she stayed beside Alex the whole time while sitting down on one of the comfy hospital chairs. Their hands never untangled, and both women talked about Alex's decision regarding her berry aneurysm treatment. They also talked about all other stuff they could think of. All except for what Piper was about to ask Alex right before Dr. Smith's interruption.

Piper had a busy shift which just allowed her to pass by Alex's room several times looking through the door when the door is slightly opened. At times, she also knocked lightly to check on Alex, but she made sure that no other staff noticed as she is not allowed to do such thing while on duty.

It was currently Piper's lunch break. Just like the previous days, she made sure she changed her shirt for one hour so that she can spend her lunch break in Alex's room. She went down to the cafeteria to grab herself a sandwich and she grabbed Alex a cupcake that said, 'get well soon' from one of the tiny gift shops beside the cafeteria.

When Piper was walking towards Alex's room, she saw from afar that the door was wide open. She knew that Alex would have visitors and thought that maybe it was Red or Nicky or one of her team mates. When Piper stepped in front of the door, not yet going in, she saw something she didn't expect.

Alex was sitting up with her back propped up on pillows. Her head was resting on the pillow which revealed her long milky white neck. It looked like she had a headache or something. Alex's eyes were closed tightly. Her visitor, a red-head, was sitting on Alex's bed and took the opportunity to lean in and kiss and suck on Alex's neck.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Alex lifted her head as she tried pushing the red-head back. The visitor was now standing with a smirk on her face.

"Just admit it! You liked it!" The red-head said challenging Alex.

"What the fuck?" Piper muttered to herself but was actually louder than how she intended to say it. Alex's head immediately looked at Piper.

"Pipes! Come in!" Alex said as if she was a deer caught in headlights. It is true. Alex didn't like what the red-head did. She knew too well that she would have liked it before Piper happened, but now that she is trying to establish a relationship with a certain blonde, she knew that she didn't want anyone except for Piper.

Piper didn't know if she should come in or if she should turn around and just leave. Alex and she didn't have a label yet, but she is sure that she is feeling jealous with the red-head in front of her. 'What the fuck is this red-head thinking? Does she want to put on a show?' She knew that she didn't have the right to be jealous but what just happened made her angry and protective of Alex. She didn't want to create a scene, so she raised the tiny box of cupcake to show Alex and spoke up.

"Uhm… Sorry for interrupting. I'll… I'll just give you this later." Piper said with her voice obviously tainted with jealousy. She saw how Alex pushed the girl away after she tried kissing Alex's neck, but she was still jealous regardless. She was jealous that she couldn't do the same to Alex. She was jealous because she knew how Alex is popular and thought that the girl she saw might not be the first one who attempted to kiss Alex. She turned to her back, but she was immediately met by a smirking Nicky who had her arms crossed.

"Nope. You are going inside, now! I saw everything, Chapman. Alex pushed her away. You are acting like a pretty fucking jealous girl-…." Nicky was cut off by Piper.

"Gummy bear!" Piper whisper shouted at Nicky. She didn't want to be called the girlfriend if they haven't made it official yet. Nicky looked at Piper incredulously with wide eyes, but her mouth is slowly forming into a smirk.

"Okay, blondie! If that's what you want to call it then! Go inside!" Nicky said pushing Piper in Alex's room. She cleared her throat to make her presence felt even though Alex and the red-head knew it already.

"Nicky! Thank god you are here!" Alex said nervously. She just wanted the red-head out and she wanted Piper to sit beside her immediately.

"I think you need to leave Tina. Stop seducing, Vause. She has a girlfriend now." Nicky said nonchalantly pointing at Piper. The girl named Tina didn't know how to react, so she looked at Alex and then Nicky and then did Piper a once over.

"Are you fucking serious, Vause? I thought you didn't do girlfriends?" Tina sked annoyed.

"Can you please just leave? I've been asking you to do so for the past ten minutes anyway." Alex says a little tired of the drama happening. With that, Tina rushed out, bumping Piper's shoulders on the way out.

"Bitch." Piper muttered to herself a little loudly. Nicky still heard it though which elicited chuckles from the wild-haired woman. Alex smirked as she heard Piper's voice tainted with jealousy. She looked at Alex and then avoided the raven-haired woman's eyes when she noticed that they have made eye contact. She tried hiding her annoyance, but she failed miserably as Alex could read her like an open book.

"Pipes, I've been waiting all day for you." Alex said stretching out her hand for Piper to hold. Piper just looked at Alex's hand and then handed her the tiny cupcake box without saying anything while maintaining a straight face.

"This is for you." Piper said after handing the box and then sitting on the chair beside Alex's bed. Alex slumped when Piper ignored her outstretched hand. Alex looked at the tiny box and peeped inside with her mouth slowly curling up. A blush started spreading across her face and she tried to hide it by turning her head but, Piper noticed it. The blonde smirked that feeling accomplished as she made Alex feel that way.

"Thank you. You didn't have to give me anything. Thank you though." Alex said genuinely with a soft smile on her face. She just wanted the blonde close to her. Piper returned the soft smile.

"How are you feeling?" Piper tried asking. She knew that she didn't have the right to be jealous and possessive because technically, Alex isn't hers. At least not yet. So, she didn't really know how to react.

"Vause, you know that blondie here is a little jealous, right?" Nicky said trying to lighten up the mood. She can feel Piper's sour mood radiating from the blonde. Piper turned her face with wide eyes towards Nicky.

"I am not!" Piper said with raised eyebrows but her blush defeats what she is trying to say. Piper thought that maybe she is being too obvious which is why she stood up and sat on Alex's bed just like how she did before. Alex automatically intertwined their fingers which brought warmth to both women's chests.

"What are you jealous about?" Alex said regaining her confidence. She knows why Piper is acting that way. She just didn't want to seem presumptuous. Piper now faced Alex with her mouth agape in mock shock.

"I am not jealous of anything, Alex!" Piper said with wide eyes trying to hide the blush that crept in her cheeks. She tried pulling away from Alex's grasp, but Alex held on tightly, pulling Piper's knuckles to her lips before kissing it three times.

"Tina just has this big crush on me. Ever since, she was trying to lure me into her web. I'm just trying to be nice. She's not my type." Alex says nonchalantly, assuring Piper.

"Her types are tall hot blondes named Piper." Nicky said interjecting in the conversation. Alex let go of Piper's hand and then grabbed the small towel beside her and threw it towards Nicky. The wild-haired woman dodged it this time.

"Who says I'm jealous of her?" Piper asked with raised eyebrows. Immediately, Nicky raised her right hand as if asking the teacher to pick her in class.

"I do, blondie!" Nicky says while laughing at how obvious Piper could be. Suddenly, Alex raised her left hand, the one with the IV, slowly, just to make fun of Piper.

"Me too. Maybe just a little? You're pretty obvious, Pipes." Alex says chuckling. Piper turned impossibly red than she was before. She slumped her shoulders and then rested her head on Alex's shoulder in surrender.

"Fine." Piper shook her head in admittance while she crossed her arms on her chest. Alex leaned in to kiss the blonde on the temple. It just felt natural to both women. Nicky sat on the comfy hospital chair and relaxed as she started talking once again.

"Chapman, just to give you a heads up, more of Alex's 'fans'…" Nicky exaggeratedly used finger quotes and then continued, "… are coming to see her." Nicky smirked. "By 'fans'…" Nicky used finger quotes once again. "… I meant maybe old fuck buddies, or women who wanted to be in Alex's pants…" Piper's eyes widened in Nicky's revelation.

"Nicky!" Alex shouted at her best friend. She felt that Nicky isn't making the situation any better. She didn't want to talk about her old fuck buddies in front of the woman she wants to pursue. Nicky raised her arms in surrender and then continued talking.

"Hey! Sorry sorry… As I was saying… You don't need to worry. I'll stir them away from your girl…" Nicky said nonchalantly. Piper squinted at Nicky because the wild-haired woman seemed like she is waiting for something.

"What?" Piper asked Nicky. She was still nestled on Alex's side so, she could feel the taller woman shake as she tried to stifle her chuckles.

"She wants something in return for sure." Alex says now chuckling visibly to Nicky and Piper. Nicky's eyebrow raised in defense.

"Hey!" Nicky said defensively.

"What? You want something from Piper, don't you?" Alex said rolling her eyes and then smirking at Nicky. She knew her best friend all too well.

"Hmmmmm. Nooooo!" Nicky says leaning her back on the back of the chair she is sitting in trying to not get embarrassed by the moment.

"What is it Nicky?" Piper asks now chuckling. Nicky's eyebrows raised and then her lips turned into a smirk.

"Well. Maybe you could-…" Nicky was cut off by Alex.

"I knew it!" Alex says laughing out loud. Nicky immediately pulled two pieces of pull out tissue from the tissue box that was reachable to her, crumpled it and then threw it towards Alex. The crumpled tissue paper barely hit Alex. Piper is now laughing with Alex as well.

"So you were saying, Nicky?" Piper says trying to stifle her laughter. It is as if all the jealousy was now all forgotten.

"So, I was thinking maybe you can set up a date for me and your friend, Lorna. You know…. Play matchmaker? That wouldn't be a big deal, wouldn't it? I mean… She's your friend, Alex is my friend, I protect Alex from other girls hounding her, you set me up on a date with Lorna, yadda yadda, and we are all happy!" Nicky declared ending her animated spiel with open palms as if everything was easy as one, two, three.

Alex and Piper looked at each other and laughed. Piper liked the idea because she knew she could be a tiny bit jealous and possessive over people she liked… Loved. 'Here you go again diving in using the L word again, Piper. Don't you think it is too early to say that? It's been a month anyway so maybe it's not? I just… One step at a time. You are rambling in your mind for fuck's sake!'

"Chapman!" Nicky shouted snapping in front of Piper's face. Piper shook her head, so she could get back in reality.

"Sorry Sorry. Uhm Yes! Okay. Deal!" Piper said laughing at Nicky. Alex looked at Piper and then gave the blonde a knowing smirk. Piper shrugged and then spoke up.

"What? I could be a jealous bitch." Piper said shrugging. This elicited laughter from Alex and Nicky.

Piper helped Alex set up her hospital table for lunch as she started to bring out the food she brought for herself so that they could eat together with Nicky. Just like before Alex's collapse, they spend eating lunch together during their breaks. Piper didn't want to break that tradition and Alex was happy about it as well.

The three girls talked some more until Nicky excused herself to go to the cafeteria. She was hungry and needed something to eat. Piper offered her some of her sandwich, but Nicky insisted that she was in the mood for some egg rolls and noodles from the Chinese stall in the cafeteria.

Piper and Alex were alone once again. When Nicky, left, Piper took residence on the hospital chair so that Alex could move freely and so that they both could eat lunch and just talk.

"Oh, Uhm… you know that girl the one with the tattoos all over her arms? The one who asked me out when I watched your basketball game?" Piper asked chewing her sandwich.

"Carlin? Stella?" Alex asked chewing little by little. She may be well now, but she is still recovering from her loss of appetite due to the medications given to her.

"Yeah that. The one with the cute Australian accent?" Piper says trying to set a bait out. She wanted to see if Alex would bite on her jealousy bait. She didn't find Stella's Australian accent 'cute cute'. She found it 'ugly cute'.

"Cute Australian accent?" Alex said in a little bit of an incredulous tone and then continued. "What the fuck about her?" Alex said, her mood obviously changing. She leaned her back against the pillows and dropped her fork a little too loudly on her plate. This didn't come unnoticed by Piper and tried not to smile as her 'bait' worked.

"Uhm, I am assigned to her room. She got admitted this morning due to gastroenteritis." Piper informed Alex. She stood up as she threw her waste away and moved towards Alex's bed. "Are you not going to eat some more? You barely touched your food." Piper asked. She knew that Alex's medications did the lack of appetite, but she wanted Alex to eat some more so she could have some stored energy in her.

"I lost my appetite talking about the tattooed kangaroo." Alex says chuckling. She said it out loud as a joke, but she also meant every single word she said.

"Are you jealous?" Piper asked with a grin. She grabbed Alex's fork and scooped some of the mashed potatoes to feed Alex. "Can you just at least finish the potatoes." Piper asked leaving Alex with no choice as she placed the fork with heaping mashed potatoes in front of Alex's mouth. Alex didn't have any choice but to open her mouth and eat all of it. She liked the thought that Piper is feeding her. She found it sweet deep within her, but she wouldn't really admit it because she wanted to maintain her badass façade.

"Hu seeys I'uhm jzhelooush?" Alex said with her mouth full of mashed potatoes. Immediately, Piper dropped the fork and raised her right hand, copying Alex and Nicky's actions earlier. This elicited laughter from the both of them.

"Fine." Alex said looking at Piper as she copied the blonde's words earlier. She, then spoke up again. "Who the hell finds her Australian accent cute, anyway? Sheesh. I mean don't get me wrong here, I find people with Australian accents hot, but not her. She just does it ugly." Alex shrugged. Piper chuckled.

"I didn't say I found it 'cute cute'… I meant 'ugly cute'." Piper says chuckling, picking up the fork once again and then feeding Alex with more potatoes.

"Whuut?" Alex asked with her mouth full of mashed potatoes again. Piper decided to explain.

"Hmmmm. You know how sometimes, like maybe 3% of the dogs' population, such as chihuahuas who have their eyes looking everywhere but straight? I mean some of their eyes are crazy. You know how sometimes they kinda look ugly?" Piper asked Alex who nodded whilst chuckling. She took this as a signal to continue. "So, you know how sometimes, they look really ugly that it turns out they're so cute? It's kinda like that. So, I don't really find it 'cute cute' if it makes you feel better." Piper said trying to explain herself. This elicited chuckles from the taller woman.

"You make me feel better." Alex said smiling sincerely at Piper.

"Really?" Piper asked smiling back with wondering eyes. Alex nodded.

"Yes, you do… Uhm… So, where is Stella's room? Is it far from here?" Alex asked. She wanted Piper to be as close as she could be to her.

"It's at the other hall, same floor." Piper shrugged and smiled.

"Okay. Don't you dare stay too long in there." Alex said with jealousy tainted in her voice but trying hard to make it appear that she was just kidding.

"And why not? I am her nurse anyway." Piper asked with raised eyebrows. Alex squinted at Piper and then Piper chuckled, cupped Alex face and then leaned in closer to assure Alex. As their lips met, the kiss was slow and full of passion and promise. Their lips danced together gracefully until Alex pulled away for air. "Mmmmm. You taste like hospital mashed potatoes." Piper said chuckling.

"What was that for?" Alex asked smirking. Piper shook her head and spoke up. "A promise that I won't stay in there for too long, my little jealous girl-… g…" Piper was suddenly at loss for words.

"Gummy bear?" Alex tried lifting the situation into a non-awkward one. Piper just nodded and felt her cheeks heat up as her blood rose in embarrassment. Alex cupped Piper's cheek with her free hand.

"Yes. I guess. Gummy bear." Piper chuckled nervously. Alex closed her eyes tightly and then opened again, making herself ready to talk.

"Piper, I don't want to call you my gummy bear. I mean we can use that as a term of endearment but it's going to be too cheesy for my liking but if you want to, I can call you that…but…" Alex said trailing off. She knew that she was semi-rambling already, but she wanted to clear things up right then and there. "Uhm, I just want to be able to call you my… Uhm…"

'Just fucking do it Alex! She tried the first time and Dr. fucking Smith arrived. Just ask her now!' Alex made a mini pep-talk to herself before she spoke up again.

"Pipes, will… Will you be my gir-…" Alex was cut off by a loud knock on the door which made both of them jump on their seats.

"Hey, Alex, time for your daily vital check-up." Larry said nonchalantly. He, then, looked at the women and felt that he might have interrupted something.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Piper said shutting her eyes.

"Can I just kiss you for now?" Alex asked. Piper leaned in for a kiss on Alex's lips not caring if Larry was there to see.

"Kiss. *kiss* For now. *kiss*" Piper said as she and Alex kissed for a couple of seconds until her alarm rang, signaling that her lunch break just ended. Piper pulled away from the kiss, threw her head back, and closed her eyes.

"Uggggghhhh!" Piper said in annoyance. Alex just chuckled. Larry was just standing there oblivious to what he interrupted. The door opened once again.

"What did I miss?" Nicky entered the room with her lunch.

End of Chapter

A/N: Still ALMOST! At least they are gummy bears for now, right? Lol! I am so sorry! I am just having fun with how things are between Nicky, Alex and Piper. I also decided to just make this chapter a light one.

Stay tuned for the next chapter! I will probably post after New Year already. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

So… Horny Alex or horny Piper? Because it's almost coming. *wink wink*

Reviews are highly appreciated! I have a lot in store for them the next chapters! If you guys want to see something, I might be able to squeeze it in my plot.

Happy New Year to all of you! I hope that you guys had a blast in 2017! May 2018 be full of happiness and laughter for everyone! And may 2018 bring Vauseman wedding in Season 6! Lol! Will be posting by next week! Happy New Year once again! :) Ger