A/N: Oh, look at me, being productive once more. Just something sweet to keep those glucose levels sky high. *wink wink*

-10-

"You're missing my entire point," Luschek argued. He reached for the jar of mixed nuts on his desk, and in between a mouthful, he said, "Velcro is the future."

Piper blinked the smile that had been on her lips slowly falling. "Velcro?"

"Velcro shoes, velcro pants. Think about it, Chapman, you wouldn't have to work so hard to lace up your shoes, or to get undressed. Why should kids and their Spider-man, light up sneakers be the only velcro item on the market?"

"Luschek, man," Nicky sighed. She reached into the jar on his desk, scoping a large handful of almonds and cashews into her palm. A few pieces scattered onto the desk and ignoring the pairs of eyes watching her she plucked the pieces up quickly. "Why do you even bother to talk?" she asked in annoyance. "It's truly a waste of everyone's time. I'll never get these moments back, you know that right?"

"Well, we're in prison, Nicky." Piper said sadly, "so, I don't think it really matters."

"Take a lesson from Chapman's book, Nichols. Positivity." He held up a finger, exaggerating his deluded sense of superiority. "Your negativity on the other hand," he pointed his finger at her and wagged it slowly, "that is why Lorna married a man."

Piper winced and peeked a glance out of the corner of her eye at Nicky. "Ow, Luschek," she hissed. "A little harsh."

Nicky waved away her concern. It wasn't like it was the worst thing she had ever been told. "You know," she said a bit dejectedly, "If I wanted to be married I would just save myself the time and buy a bride. Just forgo all that hassle. Women are so complicated, wanting a white picket fence and babies, and a dog and a cat. What's wrong with just a good fuck?"

The whole Lorna situation still bothered her to a degree but it was something she was slowly putting behind her. It would do no good to dig herself into a hole of sadness. It was just a part of life-getting hurt-falling in love.

"But you fell in love with her," Piper said smartly, a coy smile tugging on the corner of her lips. She'd been there, in the trenches of love as Cupid shot cannons at her. She sat down on the corner of the desk, ignoring Luschek's glare as she did so. "If it was just about sex you wouldn't have been so torn up about it for so long."

Nicky paid her no mind, refusing to look at her as she reached into the jar once more. "Why waste time with romance, ya know?" she asked bitterly, stuffing her face with the salty treats. "Fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce anyway."

Piper looked up to meet Luschek's eyes. "Why would you even waste your money?" she asked before she could stop herself. She shook herself in annoyance. She hated Luschek for bringing this up, but she hated herself more for continuing to bate Nicky in the process.

A figure in the doorway catching his attention, Luschek smiled. "Will you take a Russian bride?" he asked Nicky innocently.

Throwing the handful of nuts she held in her hand at him, Nicky ignored his complaining and wiped her salted covered hands down the front of her pants. "Russian?" she questioned, oblivious to the redhead looming in the doorway. "Do I look like Sam Healy to you?"

"No, but it seems a special delivery has arrived for you and I don't think there's a return policy." he told her cheekily.

Confused, Nicky turned slightly, her eyes widening at the sight of her mother in the doorway. She naturally moved toward her, giving no second thought to the two boneheads she was leaving behind. Pulling at the hem of her shirt subconsciously, she scuffed her boots along the concrete floors.

Watching her walk away, eyes focused on her ass, Luschek blindly picked up the almonds and cashews that had fallen onto his lap. "At least shipping was free," he said simply.

"You're such a perv," Piper scoffed.

"Always liked a round peach," he said sweetly.

Rolling her eyes, Piper moved away from him. It wasn't near as fun to keep the banter going without Nicky by her side.

"Red," Piper could hear Nicky declare, "what are you doing here?" she watched as the mother daughter duo stepped out of the electrical unit.

As her child stepped out into the sunlight, Red couldn't hold back the smile at the red glow that casted over her child's wild, curly mane. "I brought you lunch," she said simply, snapping out of her daze. "We're serving meatloaf today for lunch and I know you don't like that," she said as a means of explanation. "So, I made you peanut butter and jelly." she held out the brown sandwich bag and nodded happily when Nicky took it from her hands.

Nicky smiled at the gift in her hand, moving her thumbs over the packaging gently. "Thanks, Ma," she said quietly. Raising her head, she raised her eyebrow high in amusement. "You didn't have to do this though," she said sweetly.

"Yes I did," Red said simply, waving away her objections. "You would have starved yourself otherwise," she said knowingly. She pointed to the bag, tapping it with her finger, "Eat that, but if you're still hungry come by when you're dismissed from here and I'll make you something else."

"No special lunch for me?"

Nicky turned to see Luschek coming out of the electrical unit and she and Red both rolled their eyes in annoyance.

"Ah," Luschek whined, immediately feeling the cold shoulder, "Come on! You make Caputo and Healy special snacks all the time, and now you make them for her?" he shook his head in annoyance.

"Go away," Nicky ordered. She shook her head, only hearing his footsteps grow closer. "Thank you for this," she held up the bag.

"No thanks needed, honey," Red smiled. Her lips thinned into a thin line, her brow arching as Litchfield's orangutan wound his arms around her daughter's shoulder. God, she thought, another Bennett. She was grateful her girl had her head screwed on… and that she possessed no appetite for the male genitalia. "See me when you're done here," she said shortly, wanting to escape the drunken guard's presence.

"What about me?" Luschek pressed.

"No one cares about you," Nicky shrugged his arm off from around her shoulder. "Get your own wife."

"Wife?" Red questioned confused. She shook her head. "I am not married to either of you." She smiled at the cheeky gleam in Nicky's eyes. "No offense honey, but you're not really my type."

"Hmm," Nicky hummed. "I forget you like them… spicy." She laughed softly to herself and opened her lunch bag. Balling the brown sack in her hand she took a large bite of her sandwich. "Is it because I don't brush my hair?"

"Partly," Red admitted, ignoring her comment. "But also because you don't eat your vegetables," she watched her child grimace and she frowned, "and you complain," she gritted through her teeth. She shook her head, her very point being made as Nicky dramatically stuck her tongue out of her mouth, no doubt shivering at the taste that was tingling on her taste buds.

Nicky smiled guiltily, this time taking a smaller bite of her sandwich. "Fine… point made." she took another bite and forced herself to swallow. "You put too much jelly on this," she complained, observing it closely she resisted the urge to groan. "Grape, Ma?" she questioned the purple sweetness seeping out from her bite impression. She didn't miss the glare she was being gifted and quickly devoured another bite. "I'm a great person," she promised, "so I am going to finish this… But I know you are capable of better."

"Goodbye, Nicky," Red said, tone clipped, though her smile betrayed her.

Nicky watched her figure retreat and offered the last of her sandwich to Luschek. "My heart beats for her."