A/N: The first few paragraphs are dedicated to R117. May her forehead rest in peace


Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known. ~ Oscar Wilde


Piper leaned back slightly in Alex's office chair as she gingerly held the ice pack to her forehead. Alex was struggling to not snicker. "Tell me again how this happened."

"Alex. It's not funny. I can hear it in your voice."

"Hear what Pipes?"

"You are laughing at me." Piper peeked up at Alex who was doing her best to look solemn and serious.

"I'm just trying to determine how badly you are hurt."

"So I was jogging up the stairs and opened the fire door. Somehow I head butted it. Luckily no one was around. You know, I didn't even realize it had happened until after the pain kicked it." Alex couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing. "Meanie." Piper stuck out her lower lip, pouting.

"Come on Pipes. You know it's quite comical. How did you not know you had hit the door?" Alex crouched in front of Piper and reached for the ice pack. "Let's take a look and see how injured you are." Piper swatted at Alex's hand as she reached for the ice pack. "It's just a small cut, no bruising."

Piper was still pouting. "I think it needs a kiss to help it stop hurting."

Alex gently kissed the cut. "Anywhere else hurt?" Piper nodded and pointed to the corner of her eye. Alex kissed there. Piper pointed to her jaw bone. Kissed. Finally Piper pointed to her lips. Alex gently kissed her, slowly and lovingly. "Better?"

Piper nodded. "I might find some more places that hurt by the time I get home though." She lowered the ice bag and did a sneak attack on Alex, pressing the still cold bag under Alex's shirt against her stomach.

Throwing her head back and laughing, Alex instinctively jumped back. "You little... And I was being sweet."

"Yeah but you laughed at me first." Piper stood up. "I think I'll be okay and I admit. It was funny." Something caught her eye and she walked over to Alex's desk. She picked up an intricate wire figurine, gently turning it over in her hands. "What's this?"

"It's a lion."

Piper rolled her eyes at Alex's reply. "I see that but where did you get it?

Alex walked over and took the figurine from Piper. "I don't know where it came from. It was sitting on my desk when I came in this morning. The center director got a horse rearing up on its hind legs, a stallion, I suppose. Her secretary had a large bird, an eagle maybe? They were just sitting on our desks when we came into work."

"It's very well made and a fitting animal, too." Piper admired the lion sitting in Alex's palm.

Alex nodded and gently placed the figurine back on her desk. "Whoever put it there, it was a pleasant surprise and a nice gift."

"I need to get to my classroom Al. I have some things to do before class. Thanks for the ice pack...even though you laughed and mocked my injuries." Piper grinned.

"I'll make it up to you tonight." Alex leaned forward and gave Piper a long, slow kiss. "I will never tire of kissing you. You know that right?" Piper nodded. "Love you."


Piper pushed open the door to her classroom and flipped on the lights. The walls had GED posters taped up covering the majority of the space – formulas, hints, facts, and seasonal posters for history lessons. The students had made a number line that stretched across the top of two of the walls with zero being the corner. On a third wall there was a vertical number line where zero represented the floor and one the ceiling. It was marked off in fractions on one side, decimals on the other. Another wall was dedicated to writing including essays that would have received a perfect score on testing day.

As she approached her desk, she noticed that she, too, had a wire figure – a large cat. Laying her bag down, she picked up the cat and examined it, turning it around and around.

"It's a lioness," a soft voice came from the door. "To go with Vause's lion. A perfect match, just like you two." Suzanne looked at Piper, head tilted. One hand was fisted, held by her side, and the other, palm outstretched, was by her head.

Piper smiled warmly. "Suzanne. Come in." Suzanne pushed her mop bucket out of the way and walked over to Piper. "Did you make these Suzanne?" Suzanne dropped her eyes and gave a slight nod. "They are amazing Suzanne. I never knew you were so talented."

Suzanne looked up at Piper and allowed a tremendous grin to cross her face. "Mommy says it's my hobby." She raised the fist from her side towards Piper and opened her hand, presenting an object to Piper. "For both of you."

Piper felt her eyes begin to water. Laying in Suzanne's hand was an exquisitely crafted wire rose. She had even gone as far to paint the petals red and leaves green. Piper gently took the Rose and instinctively raised it to her nose. Suzanne covered her mouth and laughed. "It doesn't have a smell Piper."

Piper closed her eyes, took a deep whiff, and opened her eyes. "It just might Suzanne. It just might. Thank you so much. Have you made more of these?" Suzanne nodded. "May I see?" Suzanne turned, grabbed her mop bucket and walked towards her 'office'. Piper took advantage of Suzanne's back being turned to wipe the moisture from the corners of her eyes.


The supply closet was actually fairly roomy and had a medium sized desk and chair. Almost every surface was covered in the tiny sculptures. There was a wire house with a picket fence and a little wire family on some cases of cleaner. Several monkeys were dangling from the wire shelving units. A crocodile with wide open gaping jaws and a palm tree sat on the table. A giraffe peered over an empty can of soda. There were also other recognizable items such as the Eiffel Tower, an outline of Rodin's The Thinker, the Louvre, even Mount Rushmore.

Piper was speechless as she took it all in. Turning to Suzanne, she motioned at the more iconic figures. "Did you see these in books?"

Suzanne shook her head. "No. After Grace was old enough to appreciate things, our parents took us on lots of trips. Everywhere they took her, they took me."

Piper was confused by Suzanne's comment. "Why would they not take you Suzanne? You're their daughter?"

Suzanne shook her head. "I'm different." Suzanne went to the desk and picked up a small picture frame, handing it to Piper. It was a family picture showing a tall, thin man standing next to a slender blonde woman, a blonde young girl holding hands with a much taller Suzanne. Each parent had a hand on a daughter's shoulder. The marble statue of Abraham Lincoln stood in the background.

Piper looked a while and handed the picture back. "It's evident they love you very much Suzanne. And I like you just exactly the way you are."


Piper returned to her class, forgetting all about not having the time to prepare as she had wished. Her thoughts were on Suzanne and her family. She looked over the students already milling about and wondered what each of their stories were. She then thought of her own story. While her mother had initially rejected her and Alex's relationship, she knew she was fortunate that her mother was coming around, warming up to Alex. Their family unit was whole again, no matter how dysfunctional.

After class, Piper wandered back to Alex's office. Alex motioned that she'd be off the phone shortly. Piper took advantage of the time to observe her partner. Alex's long black hair was loose today, falling down her back and over her shoulders. This is how Piper liked it best. Alex reached up and pulled her black rimmed glasses from her head to rest on the bridge of her nose, cradled the phone between her shoulder and neck, and began typing on her keyboard. Alex was so serious. So intense. She pulled her glasses off and placed the end of one earpiece in her mouth. And so fucking sexy. Alex finally ended the phone call, put her glasses on and pushed them back up on the top of her head. Piper just looked at her and smiled.

"What?"

"Can't I watch my wife while she works?"

"With that look?" Alex raised an eyebrow.

"What can I say? She's sexy. And hot. And very, very smart." Piper stared at Alex a moment longer. "Hey you got a minute? There is something I want to show you."

"Actually I'm about done for today. Let me shut down my computer and lock up my files." As she did this, Piper approached her desk and lay the rose next to the lion. Alex looked and picked it up. "Was this on your desk? It's even more amazing than the animals."

"No. I had a lioness to go with Leo here. This was hand delivered."

Alex stood and pushed in the lock on the file cabinet. "A personal delivery huh? A single red rose no less. Should I be jealous?" Alex's eyes danced with merriment as she teased Piper.

Piper took Alex's hand and guided her down the hallway, stopping at the supply closet. "Do you have your master key?"

Alex raised her eyebrow at Piper. "Hmmm is this where you are talking me Pipes. Making me relive the days of long past where I was relegated to make women orgasm behind church pulpits and in supply closets?"

The Litchfield gang had shared all of Alex's sordid stories with Piper so she knew exactly what the references were to. Swatting Alex's chest with her hand, "just open the door."

"Wow." Alex took a step in and looked around at all of the wire structures in the room. I don't know what to say but wow. Crazy Eyes did all of this?"

"Suzanne did." Both women continued to peruse the figures. "Alex. Come look at this one. I didn't see it earlier."

Alex came up and placed her arm around Piper. There was a bookshelf with supplies but the top shelf had been cleared off for an elaborate structure. It was a wire room with a figure holding on to makeshift bars, round face pressed against the bars, peering out of her confined area. There was a lone bed in the back of the cell with an empty restraint dangling down.

"Powerful," was all Piper could manage.

"I heard horror stories about psych. I can only imagine how she survived in there. She's truly a strong person." Alex found herself examining the miniature sculptures with a new respect. "These are really detailed. They shouldn't be hidden in a janitor's closet. I wonder if she'd let us display some of them in the lobby."

Piper pondered this suggestion. "Why don't you call her sister Alex? Invite her, Suzanne and their parents for dinner at Grecco's on Friday. Ask her then.'

Alex nodded. "Speaking of food, let's go. I'm starving."


The five women and lone male were seated at one of the larger tables at Grecco's. Tony was his usual self, not allowing anyone to order. But suffice it to say that everyone was more than delighted with their food. Bella had chosen to serve family style so everyone could share.

Throughout the meal, conversation ranged from growing up to present life. The Warrens expressed how overjoyed they were to have Suzanne back in such close proximity on a permanent basis. It was evident that the Warrens were quite close and loved Suzanne immensely. Once the main course had been cleared and Tony had served coffee, Alex steered the conversation to the purpose she and Piper had invited them to dinner. Reaching back into her jacket pocket, she pulled out the lion, lioness, and rose, placing them on the table.

Mr. Warren chuckled. "Oh I see you have discovered Suzanne's hobby. I hope it hasn't interfered with her job."

"Not in the least sir." Alex directed her next comments directly to Suzanne. "You are very talented Suzanne. These are very complex and difficult to do in such detail in small scale." Mrs. Warren was beaming at Alex's praise. She reached for her daughters hand and grasped it. "Suzanne have you seen the paintings and sculptures at the center?" Suzanne nodded. "I'd like for you to consider displaying your work in the lobby." Suzanne ducked her head

"Chin up now Suzanne. Remember your posture."

"Yes Mommy," Suzanne muttered as she sat up and looked at Alex then at Piper.

Piper spoke knowing how much weight her words would hold. "Don't you think that would be fun Suzanne? We can have a glass case for them so they will be safe. And you can rearrange them anytime you want. Lots of people can see them."

Piper's insistence seemed to bolster Suzanne's confidence. "Mommy. Daddy. Grace. Can I?"

Mrs. Warren was still smiling broadly at her older daughter. "It's may I Suzanne. And it's your hobby. It's up to you."

Alex spoke up. "It's more than a hobby Mrs. Warren. In my world, it's called art."


Suzanne put the finishing touches on her display and went to slide the glass lock into place. Alex was standing behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Alex extracted a piece of thick paper from the folder in her hand. Sliding the door back open, Alex reached in and affixed a sign in the upper right corner of the display.

Artist: Suzanne Warren
Media: Wire

Withdrawing her arm she motioned for Suzanne to lock the case. "There, it's official. You are now an artist on display at the GLBT Center. Congratulations. And with that," Alex withdrew a business envelope from the folder and presented it to Suzanne, "there is this. Your monthly stipend for displaying your work."

Suzanne warily took the envelope and looked inside. "Damn Vause you take this art bit seriously."

"Yeah Warren," Alex chucked. "I guess I do." She motioned to the paintings lining the halls. "We've had so many artists come through here. Their work sells and another takes their place."

Suzanne looked worried. "My stuff ain't errrr isn't for sale Vause. I do it because I enjoy it."

"That's what makes it so good Warren. It comes from the heart. But keep telling everyone your art isn't for sale. You'll be surprised at how high the price will go. Some people won't take no for an answer. It's almost like a legal scam." Both ex-cons laughed.


A few days later, Alex noticed an appointment for Michael on her calendar that afternoon. It was only odd because Michael normally called her directly. Michael should know he's always welcome! Here or at the gallery. Regardless she was pleased to see him.

"Michael! Why the hell did you make an appointment? You could have just texted you know."

"Well I saw the new installation going in downstairs in the lobby. Plus we are getting ready for our second show. I figured you are as busy as myself. I simply made the appointment to get this on both of our calendars and to keep us on track."

"Sounds good to me. Things have been rocking and rolling?"

Michael slid the mock ups for the slick brochure for the second showing that was going out to the select clients in a few weeks. "These are the pieces for the showing along with the artists' information. I'd like for you to take a look at the slick and see if you like the pieces and brochure layout. I have starred the feature pieces and have the silkscreens in process."

"Make nine additional shirts: three each medium, large and extra-large, one per feature," Alex murmured as she flipped through the book. "They will need to be ready a few days early, so step up the timeline there."

"Sure Alex. But why?"

"Several reasons. I'll have the slick back to you tomorrow and we'll talk about it then. What else do you have for me?"

Michael was used to Alex's quirky ways and didn't press her on the issue. "The artist information. I wanted to make sure you had that before the slick went to press. That way you and Piper have time to decide what clients to invite. If the shipping information is ready by then I'll include it with the print order and the printers will ship. We will have one less task to concern ourselves with. "

Alex nodded her head in approval. "Good thinking. Anything else?"

"Yeah the new installation downstairs. Those minis are incredible. I've never heard of that artist. Where did you find her? You've been holding out on me Alex! And how did you get the pieces here and installed so quickly?"

Alex just looked at Michael and grinned. "You know her my friend. In fact you've met her multiple times." Michael was confused. Alex saw a figure walk in front of her office. Leaping towards the door, she stuck her head out. "Got a minute?"

Alex returned with Suzanne in tow. "Michael here was just telling me how he was admiring your work Suzanne. Do you remember Michael?" Suzanne nodded.

"That's your work Suzanne?!" Michael's exclamation was of excitement. "It's amazing and so intricate. I make sculptures, too."

"I know. Those are yours downstairs. And the one in Vause's garden. I see it every week."

Michael was having difficulty containing his excitement. "There is one in particular that I wanted to ask you about. On the bottom row, left side. It's of a horse and chariot. Where did your idea come from for that piece?"

"Vause and Piper said people would ask questions, and it would be my job to educate them. It's modeled after The Charioteer of Delphi, remains of a Greek bronze sculpture from the 400's B.C. time period."

Michael's mouth dropped open. "Whaa?" The expression on his face was utter disbelief.

Suzanne just smiled. "It's okay. I am unique. I traveled a lot growing up. We went to Greece when I was about 15. That one always stuck in my mind. I fixated on trying to complete the sculpture in my mind for many years. I have done that piece several times. The one down there is my best attempt."

Alex was chuckling as she knew Piper worked with Suzanne to prepared for when people questioned her work. She had worked on her answers so that she wouldn't be nervous.

Michael merely shook his head. "Well Suzanne, your work is delightful. Would you be interested in letting me watch you work sometime, maybe teach me some more simple pieces?"

Suzanne just nodded, retrieved her mop bucket and retreated out the door.

Michael turned to Alex. "I have no words Alex. None."