Authors Note - Thank you to everyone who has followed, reviewed and PM'd me about this story. I enjoy reading all of your comments. As always I'm not American so apologies for any mistakes and I do not own any characters.

Alex woke uncharacteristically early she was pleased to see Sylvie was still sleeping so took the opportunity to leave before she woke.

Quickly getting dressed she grabbed her phone her bag and the book and left opting to pick up breakfast on the way to work.
It was a crisp autumn morning, the kind where the sharpness of the morning was refreshing rather than cooling, as she walked through the uncrowded streets Alex delighted in the simple pleasure of the sunlight hitting her face as it rose between the tall buildings. As she walked she replayed the events of last night, she couldn't believe Sylvie had turned up at her door, her temper really wasn't attractive, Alex was pleased the altercation hadn't escalated and that she hadn't delved further into her text messages with Piper. Piper, ah just the thought of seeing her again today made Alex smile.

Rounding the corner jarred Alex from her thoughts. New Street farmers market. The traders must have been setting up for hours their stalls were brimming with more fresh fruit and vegetables than Alex could name. She loved visiting farmers markets, as a child her mum had bought all of their fruit and vegetables from the markets, "buy smart Alex you'll taste the difference" was one of her moms favourite sayings. Just like for her mum Alex didn't have too much spare cash at the end of the month, so Alex was happy buying as much as she could from the market, where she could buy a good portion of her groceries cheaper than the local stores. She also bought two nice fillets of smoked fish, knowing she would have to store them in the fridge in work whilst she was on shift it was the better option than risking not being able to get anything suitable after work. Her bag now full Alex headed into work ready for her shift. She met Nicky in the locker room,

"Yo stretch you ready for another day in paradise?"

"Hey, yep I can't wait for this shift to be over I'm ready for a few days off"

"What's with all the shopping?" Nicky enquired, tentatively nudging the bag with the toe of her boot.

"Ah well I'm planning on making Sylvie a nice meal this evening you know to make up for 'being a shitty excuse for a girlfriend' an all"

"You old romantic you"

"A girls gotta try"

As Alex stuff the bag into her locker the book she had bought Piper appeared at the top of her bag, an involuntary smile graced her lips, something which hadn't gone unnoticed by Nicky

"Yeah you sly dog wine em dine em..."

"Yeah the mood she was in last night I think I've got a lot of making up to do" Alex said sadly

"Things not good between you guys?

"Been better, I think I've been neglecting her a bit recently"

"Vause we've been on a run of shitty shifts it's how it goes"

"Yeah"

"Yeah I mean Lorna doesn't go all out hulk in me if I'm tired after a late"

Alex turned to her friend wondering I there was some tell tale evidence of Sylvies violent outburst from the night before

"Look I know I set you guys up an all that but hell there's times I think you're too good for her stretch, so don't go beating yourself up. There's plenty more fish in the sea, speaking of fish what the fuck is that smell?"

"That's prime smoked haddock for our supper you arse"

"Phew I thought your personal hygiene was slipping there for a minute!"

Alex doesn't dignify this with a response other than her trade mark raised eye brow.

"Come on these streets aren't going to police themselves" she said ruffling her shorter colleagues hair.

Their shift passed relatively quietly, they were on foot patrol around Grand Central station, so the day had mainly consisted of directing tourists and not so casually walking passed the coffee shop where Lorna was working.

2pm clocking off time "you know Vause, there's nothing sweeter than seeing you peel that uniform off! Nicky cackled after saying it, far more amused by the comment than her friend
"Ass" Alex replied before throwing a stray grape at her.

The friends walked out of the precinct, Alex carrying her bags of food and of course her book. Walking in the opposite direction of both her apartment and Sylvies drew a questioning look from Nicky

"Just dropping a book off" Alex said before Nicky could question her further. Everyone knows Alex is a book worm so this response suffices.

"See you in a few days chick"

"Yep have a good one and don't forget, there's plenty more fish in the sea!"

Once safely round the corner Alex retrieved her mobile and texts Piper to let her know she was on her way. She hoped buying the young blonde the book didn't appear creepy or that she was crossing any boundaries she just wanted to try ease her stress and help her revision. After all she had given up her afternoon yesterday to meet Alex.

Alex: Hi Piper, just leaving work now, will be about half an hour Ax

Suddenly doubting herself Alex sent another text in quick succession

Alex: That is if you're still free? Ax

Piper had kept checking her phone since waking, she had been excited that Alex wanted to see her again so soon. She had tidied her room and set two cups ready next to the kettle, her room wasn't massive but she still felt it was only polite to invite Alex up as she really couldn't afford to take her out for coffee again.

Not wishing to seem too eager Piper waited a good thirty seconds before replying.

Piper: hey that's great I'll put the kettle on, could do with a break :)

Alex felt a tug in her chest when she read the prompt reply, as much as she would love to spend some time with Piper she needed to get round to Sylvies in order to prepare for her surprise. Not wanting to disappoint Piper she thought it best to let her know she wouldn't be staying long

Alex: Ah I'm on a bit of a tight schedule this afternoon, won't have time for a drink but thanks for the offer Ax

Piper chastised herself when she read the reply, of course Alex was too busy to spend time with her, she worked and had a girlfriend and thinking back to that night in the bar countless friends too, she wasn't going to waste her free time with her. Letting out a large sigh Piper slammed her laptop shut and went to make herself a cup of tea.

Alex: Hi I'm here can you come to the main door Ax

Piper made her somewhat less enthusiastically to the door. Any tiny piece of disappointment soon dispersed when piper saw Alex standing bashfully up against the wall of the stoop.

"Hey"

"Hey kid, how's the revision going" Alex asked whilst fiddling with the glasses perched on her nose

"It's going... I just don't think I'm ever going to to know enough. Are you sure you don't want to come in?"

"I'd love to kid but like I said I've got a bit of a tight schedule this aft. Any ways I just wanted to give you this" Alex said fumbling in her bag before thrusting the paperback into Pipers hands. Looking down she smiled a smile which could melt the coldest of hearts

"oh Alex... This ... This... It's"

Alex's gaze dropped to the floor as she again fiddled with her glasses

"This is amazing, oh my god have you seen the detail?thank you, thank you so much" before Alex had time to look back up she felt Pipers arms linking around her. "How did you even know about this?"

"Wha" was all Alex could get out as it felt as if Piper was squeezing all the air out of her lungs

"I mean I know it's on all the reading lists but the two copies the library had have been out since the start of term"

"Lucky guess"

Alex replied once Piper had released her grip enough to speak

"so you think it will help?"

"For sure!"

Alex felt that same feeling again in the pit of her stomach, the same she had felt yesterday and if Piper had dated to look close enough she would have seen the faint blush which graced her cheeks

"Well I'm glad to be of service ma'am" Alex said in an over the top straight from the movies accent

"How much do I owe you?"

"it's a present silly!"

Knowing how much text books cost Piper tried in vain for several minutes to pay before Alex made to pick up her bags, "just make me proud brainiac" she said before heaving her shopper onto her shoulder.

"I'm sorry I've got to dash Pipes, happy revising" and with that she was walking down the steps. Piper watched until Alex disappeared around the corner wishing for her to turn around so she could wave but she didn't. Alex kept her eyes firmly fixed on the pavement before her not daring to glance back for fear of disappointment that piper would have gone back inside. At least she liked it she thought once she was safely round the corner.

Sylvies apartment was much grander than Alex's own but for all the expensive items housed within it didn't feel homely. Alex set her things down on the kitchen worktop and started rifling through drawers and cupboards to get the items she required. She planned a squash risotto as a base for the smoked haddock followed fondant chocolate cake with mixed berries for dessert. Although not as familiar with the surroundings Alex quickly made a start with her preparation. She put wine in the fridge to chill and had just gone to look for place mats so she could set the table when the phone rang, glancing at the clock she assumed it would be Sylvie ringing to see if Alex had gone to hers straight from work, wanting to surprise her girlfriend Alex resisted answering, instead allowing to the answerphone to kick in.

"Hey babe thanks for last night" Alex's ears pricked up at the unfamiliar female voice "I'm sorry things ended up so messy, fuck I've told him it's over, God I don't think anyone has ever made me cum so hard you're a real fucking minx with that tongue of yours! Come on Sylvie,ditch that slim Jim bitch of yours and see the light, girrrrl I can make you feel soooooo good. Ring me when you get this and I'll come straight round". Click the line hung up. Alex's blood felt like it was turning to ice in her veins. She dropped the cutlery she had been carrying, the metal objects clattering on the floor.

"Fuck"

Thoughts, words, images all fought for space in Alex's mind. She quickly made her way to the kitchen grabbed her work bag, turned off the stove and left. She felt her feet moving of their own accord. Alex clutched the strap of her bag tightly, feeling that it was somehow stopping her from emptying the contents of her stomach right there on the sidewalk. Walking faster and harder, she blinked away the tears that were now threatening to spill down her cheeks. Rage and hurt burned inside. How the fuck could I be so stupid?

AN2 So Sylvie showing her true colours? Hope you liked it, i know its a slow burn. Please review.