Empty Spaces Chapter 13
This one is Alex's POV after her conversation with Nicky. I've got the night off so we'll see how far we can get, next up it's Piper's turn. Thanks for all the reviews I appreciate them all.
It took several long minutes for everything that Nicky had said to take form in her mind. After nearly two weeks of non stop worry her inward monologue had finally turned into one steeply descending spiraling staircase with no end in sight. As deep and as dark as things had become inside of her head she could hardly find her way through to seeing the light in anything anymore. She clutched to it now with both hands squeezing for all she was worth. Alex savored in the rush of relief that flowed through her with the knowledge that Piper would be returning today, it wasn't quite as good as knowing that she was okay but it would have to do for now. It wasn't anything close to what she wanted, to hold her lover tight as she could and never let her go. Unfortunately the brunette had long ago learned that what she wanted just didn't matter in here.
She was grateful in a bizarre sort of way, she shouldn't want Piper back in prison with her but she just couldn't help it. She wanted the blonde close, so she could really see her and know that she was really okay. To look deep into those endless blue eyes and see the love she missed so much reflected back at her. So that she could take care of her and protect her like she should have in the first place. She'd decided some time over the past week, she wasn't exacttly sure when, she was done with all that petty bullshit that had gotten them here in the first place. No more games or drama, she was gonna be straight with Piper and lay it all out there. If Piper wanted Larry then she would figure out a way to deal with that on her own, but she wasn't gonna let it ruin one of the most meaningful relationships she'd managed to form in her screwed up life.
Sadly though the moment was short lived, if Piper was indeed coming home to her then she needed to start getting ready. She had no idea just what the blonde would need from her, but whatever it was the brunette was going to be sure she got it. She rose from the hard metal bunk abruptly leaving Nicky watching curiously in her wake, striding purposefully around the cube and gathering up her shower items. Moments later she was on her way to the showers hoping the lines wouldn't be too long in the post breakfast rush. The blonde probably wouldn't be here for hours yet and when she did arrive Alex would undoubtedly be elbow deep in dirty sheets, but there were still several things that needed to be attended to before she had to report to the laundry.
There had been a line at the shower but she'd only had to wait twenty or thirty minutes, and once inside had found herself clean in record time. While her haste had been the main reason for that the cold water splashing against her naked skin had helped to move her right along at a brisk pace. Several minutes later she was dressed, though not entirely dry, and on her way back to her cube. She needed to drop off her shower things and find Nicky first. She wasn't gonna have time to talk to everyone herself, and she wanted all the girls keeping an eye out for her today. As it was it was gonna take some doing just getting into the infirmary to see her as there was severely limited visitation options in there. She might be able to bring them up some clean linens but that wasn't an everyday thing, and she wasn't even sure if she'd be able to get in far enough to see her. The brunette had never done that delivery herself, preferring instead the runs to the kitchen where she might at least get to chat with friends.
Her things were returned to their proper homes in short order, but Nicky had seamingly disappeared. Alex had just assumed her new friend would be waiting for her somewhere close by as she had been all week, hovering protectively over her everywhere she went. A quick scan of the suburbs showed that Morelli was missing as well but Boo was over by her bunk trying to teach Little Boo how to roll over. She was hoping to find more of their little tribe gathered together in the dorm but it was getting late enough for everyone to at least be on their way to their respactive jobs. She stopped at the entrance to Boo's bunk getting her attention and preteding to ignore the shock on the other womans face over Alex actually initiating a conversation for a change. Alex didn't even realize that she hadn't spoken to Boo since finding out about the screwdriver but to the other woman the silence had been palpable.
"Piper's getting out of the hospital today." The tall woman spoke softly not wanting the wrong ears to overhear. "I need someone to keep a watch for the ambulance and come let me know when she arrives. Do you think you can handle that for me, spread the word to the others?" She looked hard into the eyes of the shorter woman gazing up at her not even trying to hide how important this was to her.
"I'm on it, Little Boo and I never have any trouble coming and going from the yard. We'll come and get you personally when the ambulance comes. I'll tell the others too, they'll wanna know." She paused for a moment the ghost of a smile flashing through her eyes but not quite reaching her lips. "That skinny little bitch really gets to ya, you know?" To that Alex could only nod, yeah she knew just how the blonde could get to you.