I just loved your reactions to the last chapter :) I think there is quite a lot of love for Bill Chapman which I'm actually really pleased about! Thanks everybody :)

I apologise for this chapter not being as long as the previous couple I haven't been at home this weekend and had struggled to find the time to fit any writing in but hey ho at least this chapter's now here. Enjoy ...

"I can't tell you how fuckin' happy I am for you Vause"

Nicky's beaming smile said it all and Alex grinned back clinking her non alcoholic beer bottle against her friends in salute.

"This beer is fuckin' crap though"

Alex laughed loudly "Bloody too right but hey any beers better than no beer right? That's what I've been telling Piper anyway"

"I'll drink to that!"

Sipping her beer with her music playing quietly in the background Alex couldn't believe how content she felt in that moment. Times like these had been few and far between in these last few months and she suddenly felt overwhelming grateful that Nicky and Piper had barged their way back into her life.

"Piper's fuckin' ecstatic isn't she? I think I've been deaf ever since she called me to tell me the good news"

"Trust me you have no idea"

Piper had been walking around on cloud 9 the last few days ever since Bill and Alex had arrived back from the specialist. Alex thought she would self combust at the news when she had sat her down and told Piper everything Dan had said. Piper had let out a half scream half soband hurled herself into Alex's arms her whole body shaking. The tears had fallen but they had been tears of happiness a welcome change from the months of devastation they had each suffered both individually and together. Every night since they had fallen asleep exhausted their sated bodies sweaty and entwined Alex felt like they had been given a new lease of life and they were determined to enjoy it as much as physically possible.

"So were is Chapman this evening?"

"She's gone to her parents she'll be back by tonight"

Nicky raised an eyebrow "You not fancy it?"

Alex shook her head pulling her face slightly "I haven't seen Carol since before I walked out on Piper and to be honest I couldn't be arsed dealing with her not right now. The fake sympathy, the probing questions nah no thanks"

"Yeah I can imagine that's not high up on your priorities right now"

Alex snorted "No and to be honest I don't know whether Bill had told her about him bank rolling my treatment if he has then I'd be lucky to come out alive!"

Nicky laughed loudly "I reckon Piper would take her down before she even had a chance. She's like a fuckin' lioness when it comes down to you"

Alex smiled serenely "When that Chapman temper makes an appearance you run even I won't take on Pipes when that temper's brewing"

Nicky nudged Alex with her arm almost spilling her beer in the process "Look at you, you fuckin' sap you've practically got hearts coming out of your eyes"

Alex just chuckled and shoved Nicky back causing the redhead to spill her beer into her lap and curse loudly.

"Yeah well I'm allowed to become gooey eyed over my fiancée"

Nicky finished dabbing at her top trying to rid some of the excess beer that was settling into her top.

"I still can't believe she proposed"

"Me neither I thought she was joking" Alex shook her head the memory vivid in her mind "I thought she was just grasping at straws saying anything to convince me to let her stay but she's still insistent that we're engaged and at some point we'll tie the knot"

Nicky just grinned wickedly "I hope I get to be your 'best man' I'll do a cracking speech"

Alex mock scowled raising a hand to her chest "What makes you think I'm the man in this relationship?"

"Oh please I think it's a fair assumption you fuckin' exude power, confidence and cockiness. You could kick the shit out of anyone who tried it on and although you pretend you're in control Piper has you wrapped around her little finger"

Nicky raised her eyebrow smirking devilishly "Plus you know you would look fit as fuck in a perfectly sculpted tux with your figure"

Alex smirked cockily "I look 'fit as fuck' in anything Nichols I reckon I could make you drool wearing a black bin bag"

"Wanna give it a go" Nicky raised her eyebrows suggestively and they both fell about laughing.

"So when are you booked in for your surgery?"

Alex hesitated and as the seconds passed Nicky's eyes narrowed. Alex was the only person, other than her consultant, who knew the date of her operation. She had been keeping it a closely guarded secret while she had internally debated over how she wanted to proceed. Even with all the enthusiasm Dan had shown in the meeting Alex still knew there was still a chance, no matter how small, that she would either die on the operating table or come out from the anaesthetic not even knowing her own name. The thought of having to tell Piper she loved her as if for the final time made her squirm internally, she didn't want the grand farewell before she was wheeled into theatre it just didn't sit well with her. Alex would rather quietly slope away have the operation and return to the hospital ward without the big farewell but she knew that Piper wouldn't allow it, wouldn't even consider the idea. Alex knew it was selfish, she truly did, but it was also something she felt really strongly about.

"You fuckin' kidding me"

Alex winced knowing the guilty look on her face had shown throughout her inner monologue.

"Please tell me that my warped brain is just jumping to conclusions. Who else knows your surgery date if you're not willing to tell me?"

Alex schooled her features into one of nonchalance "Me and my surgeon"

"What about Piper?"

Nicky's voice was as cold as ice and Alex actually wanted to shrink under her icy stare.

"I haven't told her yet"

Nicky shook her head "No that's bullshit why would you not tell her?! She has been on eggshells, waiting for this bloody phone call and it's come and you haven't fuckin' told her!"

"Now come on Nicky calm down-"

"Calm down!? You two will be the fuckin' death of me I swear! You constantly fuck the other one over while trying to protect the other how the fuck does that happen!"

Alex could feel her irritation building as Nicky's voice became louder "Fuck off Nichols everything I've fucking done has been in Piper's best interests!"

"Oh and Piper agrees with this opinion does she?"

Alex seethed feeling the pressure in her head building the pain over her right eye spiking "You know she doesn't"

"Exactly! It doesn't fuckin' work! You need to tell her! What were you planning to do? Leave the apartment for some milk and not return?!"

Alex opened her mouth to retort before she realised that in a way that was exactly what she had planned to do.

"You're a fuckin' selfish cow Vause" Nicky was looking at her with thinly veiled disgust "You keep pushing and pushing Piper with your idiotic shit its like you actually want her to leave you. Well one day she might if she has to keep putting up with this sort of shit and what will you do? Sit there and say you always knew she would like a fuckin' martyr"

Alex couldn't reply Nicky's words cuttingly her deeply but at the same time her own stubbornness still burned beneath the surface.

"I'm not trying to push her away I don't want her to leave I don't, I just... I just... Eurghh! I can't explain it I just don't want that last goodbye what if turns out to be just that the last fucking one?"

Alex let some of the fear she had been closely hiding from everyone around her seep into her voice and she watched Nicky sigh heavily the anger leaving her as she settled back into the couch cushions a resigned look creasing her features.

"Listen Vause I think you should tell her she's your fiancée she's entitled to know the day your heads gonna be hacked open"

Alex winced and touched her head instictively "Nice expression Nichols"

"Oh sorry 'When they surgically remove the alien matter sapping the life force from your body' that sound better to you?"

Alex chuckled weakly "Not really but thanks for trying"

"I'm only looking out for you, you know that right? I'm not on anyone's side here. I just don't want you causing anymore stress to either of you"

"I know Nic and I appreciate it I really do but just let me deal with this please? I'm already fuckin' shitting myself I just need to do this in my own time" Alex visibly slumped as Nicky smiled slightly and nodded the tension disappearing for now as Nicky stood up heading towards the fridge.

"Another shit beer?"

"Well how can I say no to that?"

Piper was whimpering incoherently, her body drenched in sweat, desperately arching up to meet Alex's touch. Her face was creased in anticipation one hand was clenched tightly around the headboard the other was painfully wrapped in Alex's hair. Alex's head was pounding the pain causing her vision to blur in her right eye and her left arm to shake uncontrollably but she was not stopping, not yet, not until Piper fell apart underneath her at least once more. Fear and worry had manifested into desperation Alex felt like she needed to consume Piper desperate to show her how much she loved her. Alex didn't do soppy declarations of affection finding it awkward and uncomfortable six earth shattering orgasms however was something she could do and she was determined to push Piper through her seventh.

"Al..."

Piper was practically in tears begging for release but Alex decided to prolong her torture for a little longer. Pulling back abruptly Alex blew softly over Piper's trembling pussy lips pinning Piper's thighs down as they instinctively tried to close.

"Al please ... I can't take anymore it's too much"

Alex smirked as she blew again the sheets were already soaked through, the heady scent of Piper's arousal thick in the air and Alex felt intoxicated on the smell.

"You will cum again for me Piper"

Alex watched as Piper's eyes widened and she seemed to struggle to respond. Not wanting to wait a second longer Alex ran her tongue from Piper's opening to her hardened clit, groaning gently herself at the heady taste and revelling in the arch of Piper's hips and the guttural moan that was like music to her ears.

"Show me how much you love me and fucking cum"

Reaching up Alex wrapped an arm around Piper's leg and pressed her hand firmly into her hip effectively pinning her in place. She then began to worship the body underneath her alternating between long strokes of her tongue and swirling and sucking Piper's clit. Piper's hand tightened in her hair holding her as close as possible the hold was almost painful but to Alex it was becoming pleasurable, taking the edge of her pounding headache and she concentrated hard on bringing Piper closer to orgasm. Plunging her tongue inside the fiery heat nearly had Piper ripping Alex's hair from her head and her whimpering grew more pronounced. feeling the slick hot walls beginning to contract against her tongue Alex moved her hand and thrust three fingers into Piper's pulsating heat her tongue coming to rest on her scorching clit.

"Fuck Alex... fuck fuck fuck"

Alex curled her fingers smirking pressing hard against the fleshy wall where she knew Piper's g-spot was never releasing the pressure from her tongue.

The effect was instantaneous.

Piper cried out her body convulsing violently and Alex chin was immediately soaked with her release as she continued to spasm violently obscenities spilling from her mouth. Alex continued to lick and suck determined to draw every last bit of pleasure from Piper's sated body as it quivered and trembled riding out the last waves of her orgasm.

"Al... Come up here please?"

Alex reluctantly dragged her exhausted body up into Piper's embrace and let her head settle on Piper's chest. Piper ran a gentle hand up and down her bare back and Alex felt some of the tension in her body ease at the soothing sensation.

"Not that I'm complaining but is there a reason you have been so generous tonight?"

Alex just grunted and turned her attention to the nipple closest to her nibbling and sucking on the still erect tip. Piper's body squirmed and her face was pulled from her body by two shaking hands.

"I can't take anymore Al" Piper smiled at her gently but Alex found she couldn't smile back.

"You know I love you right?"

Piper's face beamed but then gave way to confusion at the seriousness of her voice "Of course I do"

"Are you sure?"

Piper laughed although she still wore a confused expression "Of course I'm sure. I know you love me Alex"

"Even after everything I put you through?" Alex needed to know, needed to be certain.

"Yes Alex I know now why you thought you had to do what you did and I know it was never down to the fact that you didn't love me anymore. In fact in your own way you did it because of how much you love me whether I agree with it or not"

Alex remained silent as she battled internally with her own demons and she watched as Piper's expression changed to concern.

"What's going on Alex?"

"Nothing"

The reply was too quick to be believable and Alex sighed irritated with herself and she pushed her exhausted body up quickly immediately wishing she hadn't. White hot pain erupted above her right eye her head feeling as though it was being split in two, her ears throbbed, white noise ringing as if she was being held underwater. Her eyes began to water with the intensity her left arm and leg shaking uncontrollably and an involuntary moan was pulled from deep within her.

"Alex?!"

Piper's voice was panicked and Alex willed her vision to clear as she groped blindly for Piper's hand.

"M ok"

"Lie down Alex let me go and get your painkillers"

Alex fell heavily into the pillows grateful when Piper turned out the bedroom light as she left the room. Now waiting for Piper the worry began to build again she still couldn't decide whether to talk to her love or not. Her brain was shouting no take the cowardly way out, her heart telling her to man the fuck up and speak to the woman she loved. Alex groaned no wonder her head was pounding there was just too many thoughts battling around her brain and she shut her eyes tightly willing her mind to settle. Feeling the bed dip next to her Alex opened one eye just able to make out Piper's worried face in the darkness.

"Here you go my love"

Alex sat up sluggishly and gratefully took the pills. The moment she had swallowed she let herself fall back down the pounding in her head overpowering her.

"Try and sleep Alex you've overdone it tonight you need to rest"

Piper sat up leaning against the headboard and Alex allowed herself to be pulled into Piper's embrace her head coming to rest on Piper's lap. Alex instantly sighed when Piper's hand wound through her hair and began massaging her scalp.

"Kid..."

"Shhh Al go to sleep we'll talk in the morning"

Icy dread settled over Alex and she struggled against the overwhelming tiredness but it was futile the urge to sleep too strong.

"Mmm sorry"

Allowing the darkness to envelope her Alex prayed for forgiveness, her last thought tomorrow would be too late.

A.N I hope I don't make any of you too angry with Alex's plan ...