CHAPTER 12

"Why am I here?" His voice was dull.

Wearing a knitted navy blue jumper with a cotton checked shirt underneath, sitting opposite Piper and looking less than pleased to be there was Larry Bloom. Piper could tell he was torn by her request to visit. Larry had always been kind hearted, loving and caring however this was obvious proving to be a difficult task for him. It was clear to Piper that he was most likely here because he was curious about what she wanted. And after all, he'd never had any issues saying no to Piper. "I don't know what more we have to talk about. I'll move your things to Cal's and I guess we can just let the lease run out and..."

"Let's get married!" interrupted Piper firmly. Larry's eyes popped and his jaw fell open, he clearly wasn't expecting that.

"What?"

"Married! Us Larry, you and me, let's try again." Her voice was calm, cool, collected. She sounded like it made sense, she was even surprised how much the idea had convinced her that this was a good idea. Piper wasn't showing it but inside she was hurting. She was actually a real mess, a mix of anger, sadness, panic and fear. Piper felt isolated, lost in what could only be described as her own inner turmoil. Ever since she'd learnt that Alex had disappeared, it had left a gaping hole in the woman's world, everything felt upside down. Piper now wanted nothing more than to reboot her life and delete Alex from her system entirely. What was better than cementing things back with Larry? She was originally going to before the brunette named her in the collapse of the drug den then proceeded to chase her again in prison. Piper had honestly been happy with Larry, she was looking forward to a future with him, she didn't need Alex anymore. She had loved Larry and still believed she loved him... he was the safe choice, the best choice. He would give her everything she needed and never name, lie or leave her.

"Piper this is crazy… I – I can't, I'm seeing someone," his voice was low as if he were embarrassed to admit this.

"What? You mean with my apparent friend that you've slept with?" Piper briefly considered who it might be but waved the thought away. She could deal with it. She'd cheated and Larry would forgive her in time so she could of course forgive this too. They were even, Piper nodded, "I can overlook that, it's only fair. I stuffed up first," her voice was to the point and almost fake. Larry stared back her, eyebrows raised in disbelief. Piper leaned forward on the table and locked eye with the man. "I know I stuffed up, I'm sorry and I'll never stop making it up to you… I promise." She reached forward and took Larry's resting hands, "I'll sign whatever you want and we can make it happen within a week. I'll do my time and then we can start again fresh when I'm out!"

"Piper…"

"We can really make this work. You and me like it's always been planned,"

"Piper…

"I know I fucked up, I'm a huge idiot but it's just a speck on the grand scheme of things. We can get back to…"

"It was Polly!"

A beat.

"What?"

"It was Polly! We slept together," Perhaps it wasn't what he said but how he said it. It was so final and shocking to Piper that she could only blink. Had she heard correctly? Piper let go of Larry's hands, she fell back against the chair and stared blankly back at Larry. "And I'm in love with her,"

"But you love me?"

"I do, well I did..." Larry shifted uncomfortable, "You'll always mean something to me Pipes but I love her, you can't help love."

"Yeah but you can help who you stick your dick in! My best friend Larry? Really?" Piper's heart began to race as she glared back at Larry, seeing him in a whole new way. It honestly hurt her to hear this. It wasn't anyone he'd slept with either, it was HER best friend.

"Don't! Don't you be all accusing. You cheated on me with Alex! You chose her, Polly and I just fell together."

"I chose you Larry! I fucking chose you over her and you dumped me!"

"That's not what she said"

Pipers eyes jolted, "Wait, she what?" what was happening. Had Larry and Alex spoken? "She told you? Have you two been talking behind my back?" Piper was horrified, her insides seemed to freeze and pool in her stomach as she stared back at Larry, her mouth half hanging open. His face was stern and unchanged, this was usual for Piper to see. Larry had always been a bit of a push over to her, always giving everything of himself and never had she seen him pull such a face. "Since when? How long have you been talking to Alex?" What had Alex said to Larry? A red hot furry began to bubble from deep within the blond. She clenched her fists and she just wanted to hit something hard. Why were Alex and Larry talking about her? Had Alex been the one to tell him they were sleeping together? It was only a fling, a human thing that they both agreed was fine so why would she do that? Had she been so hurt by Piper that she went to Larry as revenge? Bloody Alex was always the centre of her problems and here she was again, stuffing it up between her and Larry AND nowhere, absolutely fucking nowhere to be found thus leaving Piper to reside in her shit once again. She trusted her, she'd given her chance after chance and yet Alex had lied and lied and run way. It fucking hurt and Piper was struggling with this fact every day. Everything reminded her of Alex, constant questions from fellow inmates, laundry - Alex, waking up - Alex, dreaming- Alex, Alex Alex! 'Fuck Alex!' A tear prickled in the corner of her eye and she wiped it away quickly. She didn't want Larry to see her crying about her ex, perhaps he would believe it was for him but in all honesty it may have been a little but Piper cried because of Alex. Piper was hurting, she was broken, everything ached, she felt helpless and alone. A new darkness began to grow inside her, the ultimate effect of loving someone like Alex Vause diseased her soul, she was but a slither of the woman she once was thanks to Alex and nothing was going to change that.

"Look we wanted to tell you togeth..."

"WE? Oh god, oh god, oh god ohhh," Piper couldn't handle hearing that. Her hands reached to over her ears and she turned away from him like a child about to chuck a tantrum.

"Don't be immature Pipes!" he spat back frowning at her.

"DON"T!" and she flung down her hands to the sides of the chair and made to get up. "You don't get to call me that," It was Alex's nick name for her and only her most loved could call her that and Larry had now forfeited that forever. "We're done Larry, You go back and tell that… " but she couldn't bring herself to mention polly. "Fuck you Larry!" and she stood. "I hope you both have a fucking amazing life together," and Piper storms out. She couldn't handle this, her life was a mess and this was just one more stone to add to the pot.


Her guts tightened and her knees shook. Her lungs refused to take in any air as she felt a rising panic overtake her entire being. Everything that had happened, everything that's upset, bothered and scared her all comes rushing back in one solid motion. Piper grabbed at her clothes, she yanked her collar sideways as she felt herself growing sweaty and hot. She refused to look at anyone as she paced quickly down the hall and toward an exit. Piper needed fresh air, if she didn't get it fast she was sure she'd collapse and pass out. She burst through the first door she comes across and emerged into the loading bay. It was out of bounds but she didn't care. Piper came to sudden halt as she came face to with a C.O. "Oh…Sorry I just ... needed some air," she gulped hesitating at the sight of the guard. She didn't recognize this particular C.O, she was of equal height to Piper, her hair was long deep brown, her eyes were a deep blue with long dark eyelashes. She looked athletic with clear muscular shoulders and flat stomach, her lips were full and a stunning shade of red. She smiled at Piper who immediately lost track of her thoughts and why she was upset. The woman was beautiful, Piper found her to be rather attractive in fact, "Sorry I've never seen you before, are you new?" she chimed unable to take her eyes off the guard, "I'm Chapman." The C.O's smile grew, revealing almost perfect white straight teeth. "Piper Chapman?" she asked

Piper was a little taken back by this, how did she know her name? "Yeah, how did you...?"

The woman took a step towards her, "I've been looking for you Chapman,"

"You have? Am I in trouble? I didn't mean to yell before I just..." but she was quickly interrupted by the brunette.

"I have a message for you," she paused and looked away cheekily then found Piper's eyes once again, "Consider it a special delivery," then produced a pistol from her pants and points it directly at Piper's chest. She freezes, her heart thumps furiously in her chest, terror takes hold and she immediately thinks of Alex. "Who are you?"

"The name's Erika," the woman smiles over confidently, "Your girlfriend and I go way back Kid!" and she cocks an eyebrow. "Shared quiet the history before and after you broke her heart." Piper felt a small lump form in her throat, she hated to be reminded of how she left Alex after her mother's death. "She was a mess after you, screwed her right over. Came running into my arms, guess someone had to pick her up off the floor. Few rounds with me though and she'd forgotten all about you," The woman was trying to antagonize Piper. So what if she had a past with Alex? Piper knew that what she shared with Alex was special and no one would ever mean as much to them as they did to each other. Alex most likely had her fill will Erika and left like she did with everyone else. However it was just the sheer mention of her ex-girlfriend that made the blonde feel nervous and uncomfortable. "Oh my god... oh, my, god..." breathed Piper. The brunette smirked, "You're still in love with her? Look, we're done. She's all yours! Free woman in fact, I can give you her address but hey she's skipped town. Shame though, heard she was looking for some dump slut to fuck, what she didn't come running to you again?" spat Piper with narrow brows. She immediately regretted what she'd said. Being smart with someone who was pointing a gun at you was probably not the smartest of ideas Piper had ever had. Erika smirked again, "Well you can tell her I said hi then, I'm sure Kubra's already passed on his hellos. Oh and condolences by the way... I heard she went quickly!" There's a split moment, a moment between where Piper isn't sure she still inhabits her own body anymore and a moment in-between breathlessness and absolute terror. Her eyes begin to water as she shook her head in silent disbelief, her heart forgets to beat and everything seems to slow down. All noise flattened to a low hum and Piper finds herself glued to the spot, heart in her chest thumping painfully, her arms hang limp by her side. Her vision blurs as Erika snorts. A loud bang goes off and the back of her head meets concrete with a loud crack.

Erika doesn't hesitate, stashing her gun behind into the back of her pants. Piper lies limp on her back, blood pools on her right shoulder. Erika grabs Piper by the wrists and drags her into a nearby white van before the blood spills on the floor. As she closes the doors C.O John Bennett come running from behind the guard tower and towards the van. He has a gun however when he sees the Erika in a prison uniform he hesitates, he assumes and lets his guard down as he scans the area for a more menacing looking assailant. Erika reacts quickly and pulls her gun back out. She fires, the bullet hits John in the right leg and he collapses.

Rewind – FIVE MINUTES EARLIER

Larry watches Piper storm out. He knows he deserves it but part of him wants to argue more with her, he isn't finished explaining but clearly Piper's had enough. He stands and tells the guard he's finished. They let him out and he walks into the prison lobby. As he reaches the front door when he hears his name called "Larry?" He turns on a dime and is met with thick black rimmed glasses.

"Alex?"

The two stare at each other for an uncomfortable time, neither speaks. They awkwardly look away but Larry decides to go first, his keeps his voice confident and strong because Alex was taller than him and always seemed to make him feel intimidated. "I guess I don't have to ask why you're here. Although after our little chat just now I have a feeling she's not in the greatest of moods." Alex looks back with raise questioning eyebrows, she obviously has no idea what Larry means. "Anyway enjoy, maybe she'll even propose to you too since I said no." and he turns to leave.

"Huh? Larry… wait!" Alex almost reaches out to stop him from leaving but she stops. He sees her hand hesitate to touch him but it's quickly withdrawn before she does. Alex opens her mouth to speak however his last statement has thrown her so she closed her mouth. Larry waits patiently as he can't help but feel curious about what Alex wanted to say. She tries again and leans in but only as comfortably close as she can handle, "Piper's in danger," she blurts out quietly. Larry cocks an eyebrow and pulls a face, "What?"

"Piper… she's in trouble. She'd not safe here…" It's now that Larry notices Alex's face. Her lip is cut and her glasses hide the dark purple bruise under her left eye. Alex looks away as she notices him looking. "What happened to your eye?"

"I fell down the stairs, what you think happened?" her voice was full of sarcasm causing Larry to roll his eyes. He shouldn't have asked.

"Look I need to talk to her, warn her that she'd not safe … or maybe, maybe you can if she won't see me?" she suggested which ultimately hurts to say. "I'm probably not her favorite person right now but I still care about her". It was Larry's turn to feel uncomfortable, he could tell Alex still loved Piper and it was more than obvious that Piper still cared for Alex despite her proposition of marriage. "Well neither am I. She won't be talking me after my little visit… I kinda admitted to sleeping with her best friend".

Alex was greatly amused by his sudden confession, "What Holly? Wow you actually fucked up big this time," she chuckled, "Welcome to the dark side, not so innocent after all I see!" but Larry didn't find that funny.

"You'll have to tell her yourself, she'll probably wants to hear it from you anyway." And he looked down and away. Alex was someone he just couldn't beat, there was nothing about her that was nothing like him and he could see why Piper had taken to her. She offered something completely different that Larry never could. He despised her for that, he hated the emotion and connection she evoked from Piper. "She'll probably have questions too, you two have a lot to catch up on I assume." Larry also had no idea they'd met up during Piper's furlough. Alex looked sternly back at him, she was thankful he was backing down and wondered if he was being honest or sincerely just giving up.

"Thanks," was all she managed. Alex assumed Piper hated her but that didn't deter the raven haired woman from coming to Litchfield. She honestly hoped Piper would agree to see her, spot the cuts and bruises then hopefully understand Alex hadn't ditched her at all. Alex was kidnapped and thankfully her injuries were believable enough for her probation officer to let her off the hook. So her fingers were crossed Piper would believe too.

"Good luck" Larry added, he was still unable to look the woman in the eye and so he made for the door.

BANG!

Larry's head popped up and looked around. 'Was that a gun or a car?' It sounded like a gun but he couldn't be sure. Both of them paused to listen, it seemed Alex was thinking the same thing as Larry as she too cocked her head to the side. A second one sounds and everyone flinched. An alarm quickly follows suit and out of habit Alex drops to the floor instantly. Larry fears she's been hit and reaches to help but she bats him away and stands again. "Old habits," she says not meeting his gaze as she feels a little embarrassed. Guards merge from every direction and run into the prison leaving guests scrabbling for the exit. Larry also makes for the door, he turns to ensure Alex is following because deep down he doesn't want anyone to get hurt, even the one person who's ripped his family apart. "Alex?" he calls wondering why she hasn't tried to escape but Alex ignores him. Her eyes are glued to the entry to the prison halls and she looks scared. A million thoughts run through her head and she begins to panic. She isn't allowed back there and yet all she wants to do is run and find Piper, to keep her safe and hold her close. The urge to protect her drives a new fire inside that she's never felt and before Larry can say another word Alex is gone, she's run through the open doors and disappeared into the prison. "ALEX!"


Writers Note: Thanks for all the reviews and follows. So glad you like this my story. Very chuffed by all the feed back =]

So I can make one more Chapter for you to wrap it up or shall I leave it with this cliff hanger? Given I will make my own s3 for fun. 3...2...1... Go! (i