My Beloved

Chapter 25

Bill's nightmare didn't end that horrid night. The next morning Kubra summoned him to his mansion for further report on their situation. With a heavy heart, he had to leave Piper, who was still in critical condition, with Helen, and Carol, who had just flown in from her short stay in Chicago. His ex-wife was a wreck. Everyone was. Tied to his work schedule, Danny would fly back to the States tomorrow. They all just hoped that Piper would pull through.

8 rounds were shot. A bullet had hit Piper in the chest, slightly left, just an inch over her heart. Another had struck her in her right shoulder.

Blood.

Bill bit his bottom lip, pinching the bridge of his nose. The memory cruelly replayed itself in his head. There was so much blood. Crimson pool flooded the floorboard of the car, splashed over the seats and windshields. How lifeless his only child had looked, braced against the steering wheel. He had shaken Piper. He had screamed her name. There had been no response. They had taken her to the nearest medical facility to stop her bleeding before transferring her to a larger hospital for further operations.

Bill hadn't felt this deep, gutted desperation in a long time. He hadn't felt it since he pulled the trigger, firing four shots at Diane to save himself, so that he would be able to go back home and see Piper. That desperation came back full force, hammering him, forcing him down to his knees.

Rage. Regret.

Waiting in the living room of Kubra's mansion, Bill took a seat on the white couch. Sighing, he rubbed his face, scared and exhausted. He shouldn't be here. This was insanely cruel. He wanted to be near his daughter, not here.

"I heard about your daughter. I'm very sorry for what happened." Kubra strode into the room, heading right away to the counter to pour some whiskey.

His boss walked back to the couch with two glasses, offering him one. Bill accepted. He needed it. His phone could ring at any given moment, possibly bearing bad news, and the anticipation rendered him into a nervous wreck.

Counting. Waiting.

Kubra sat down next to Bill. "I believe the attacks are related. It must be Elvan's men. Their bastard boss is dead, and they're angry. They might have mistaken your daughter for Maya."

"Then, it's all my fault. God, it's all my fault." Shaking his head, Bill burst into tears. He just couldn't hold back anymore.

"It's gang war, Bill. Our families, we must protect. I want to shut down the ranch until we can secure the place. We need more men over there. Good, trustworthy men."

Bill gritted his teeth, seethed with anger. The incident reminded Bill of the death threats 3 years ago, which had somehow disappeared after Maya eliminated the suspicious PI. Could they be the same people? Were they from Elvan's faction? "It seems that they've been watching us for years. They must have known about our projects and experiments. But how...? Someone from our side might have leaked it."

Kubra nodded. "Quite possible. We have to be careful. Leave the city for a while. Give yourself a break. When I completely annihilate Elvan's faction, you can then return. Without Elvan, it won't be long to take them down. You'll have your revenge, I promise."

Revenge.

Bill clenched his fists. He couldn't wait.

Cold.

It was absolutely dark and painfully cold. Her bones ached. Her skin cracked. Black clouds swam in her head. Her limbs were heavy as lead.

Help… anybody…

Piper tried to speak, but her voice wouldn't come out. Her dream had become a solitary confinement with an endless contract. She constantly moved, but not a step further. The ground beneath her feet swirled like quicksand. Her arms flailed aimlessly, blindly searching for an anchor. She was slipping away, and she was scared. She needed to hold on to a foundation. Something. Someone.

The pain in chest erupted again, and Piper was ruthlessly jerked out of her dream. Blue eyes widened, staring up at the white ceiling. So much pain. She found it hard to breathe. Her body was trembling, disobeying her.

"Hurt..." Piper coarsely whispered. She felt a hand scooped hers, followed by a tight squeeze.

"I'm here."

For a moment, Piper shut her eyes. The voice was low and husky. Just what she needed to hear the most. Right now.

"I'm here, Piper. You're going to be ok."

Blue eyes opened again. Her mind more lucid now. With difficulty, Piper slightly turned her face to the right, meeting with Larry's dark eyes. His gaze was filled with concern. Alex's whisper was just a dream. A wishful thinking.

Piper glanced around the room as her head became clearer. What happened to her? Why was she in so much pain?

"Hey. It's good to see you again." Larry smiled. His eyes teared up a little.

Piper weakly smiled back. "What… happened?"

Before Larry could speak, Bill entered the room, holding a big, paper bag filled with snacks and drinks. He looked tired and ill, his face pale and thin. But his eyes instantly brightened up at the sight of Piper's smile.

"Piper!" Bill dropped the bag at the foot of the bed. Larry swiftly grabbed it before it would fall off.

Bill rushed to Piper's side, bending over to hug her. For a long moment, he buried his face in her pillow, his shoulders trembling.

"Dad?" Piper breathed.

Only then that Bill pushed himself up and smiled down at her, tears bathing his face. "Welcome back, my princess."

Maya woke up to a familiar ceiling and the sets of bars around her. She was resting on the thin futon provided for her. It was her bed. It was where she had grown up in. But it felt different from all the beds in the motel rooms she had shared with Alex. It now felt cold and ruthless without Alex's warmth.

"Alex," Maya called out. It was the first thing that came to her mind when she woke up. Every fucking day. And Maya had grown to love and hate it.

"Hello, Maya," Pete greeted. He looked battered. Bearded. Reddened eyes and bad skin.

"Where's Alex?"

Pete hesitated for a moment. "You're safe now. The doctor was just here last night, making sure you were ok. You're strong. It'll take just a week to rest, and you'll be fine."

Maya felt the pain stinging in her wound, but her body had a good, solid rest, and she was feeling much stronger than she had in the past few days. She glanced around the laboratory. There were men in black pacing around. She had never seen them before. They were armed as well. "Where is Alex? Why isn't she here?"

Pete cleared his throat, briefly looking away.

Maya hated the silence. Something felt terribly wrong. "Pete, tell me. Is she all right—"

"Alex is fine, we assume," Pete said.

"What do you mean 'assume'?" Maya stared hard at Pete, both hands gripping the bars.

"We don't know where she is." Pete forced out a small cough. "She contacted us and told us where you were, that's how we found you. She's disappeared since. She ran."

Maya froze, letting her mind to process the information. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Alex had always been a good partner to her. She had always been kind and attentive to her, giving her more than just colleagues. To realize now that everything Alex had done was just to conceal her true motive hurt her like nothing else had.

"She betrayed us." The words slipped through Maya's lips. They stung like a bitch.

Pete briefly shut his eyes. "I didn't see it coming either. She was a good girl."

Maya stood up, glowering at Pete. "Let me out."

"Look, I know how you feel, but we've got more urgent thing to worry about than Alex."

"Let me out!" Maya pounded at the bars.

"Calm down! Please!" Pete quickly took a step back, both hands raised in front of him. "Four days ago, the ranch has been attacked. Bill's daughter was shot that night. She almost died. We assume that it was Elvan's men. We're going all gang war now. We have to move out of here by the end of the week, and stay out of sight until Elvan's men are hunted down. This is Kubra's order. So, anything concerning Alex will just have to wait… for a while."

Maya paused for a moment. "What was Piper Chapman doing here?"

Pete shook his head. "We don't know yet. She was in her car, right by the front gates, when the shooting happened. It was horrible. Poor girl."

"She came for Alex." Maya spoke before she could stop herself. She shouldn't care about the traitor anymore. She would kill her, if they met again.

Pete let out a heavy sigh. "Possible. At the party, I told her that her friend visited here sometimes. Fuck." Pete had no idea that Alex was a hybrid cougar as well, a natural born even. He just assumed that Alex was working as Maya's right-hand person. He hadn't a clue that Alex was a captive under Bill's supervision.

Maya looked away. Piper really came for Alex. It had been three years. The past should have been forgotten, but it clearly wasn't. For some reason, their connection deeply bothered Maya.

It took Piper two, full days to regain the coherent state of mind. According to the doctor, she had been in a coma for four days. Being young and healthy had helped, or otherwise she would have been dead already. The most shocking element, however, was when her father revealed that she had been attacked at the ranch, shot twice by a hit man. The story sounded almost like a movie plot. She couldn't believe it herself.

The incident was caught on surveillance camera, showing a black pickup truck and a lone driver, his face masked under a black skiing mask. Eight rounds were shot before the vehicle quickly drove off. Bill assured Piper that his boss had his men hunting down the attacker.

It was a shock to the Chapman family that Bill had actually worked for a shady businessman, not for government-funded projects. The only explanation Bill could offer was that Kubra was an eccentric man with a seriously twisted, sadistic streaks. Kubra had many enemies, and that had made Bill keep his work secret from his family. He could never refuse Kubra, or pull out of the team.

"I am so sorry, Piper. I never meant for any of this to happen," Bill pleaded. He was standing by the window, anxiously gazing out through the gap between the creamy-colored curtains.

On the hospital bed, Piper was leaning back against the pillow, her blonde hair sticky. Her blue eyes were dull, and her skin pale and dry. Basically, she looked good for someone who had risen from death. Her body was still very weak. She would feel tired from just sitting for an hour at a time. Doing nothing but breathing was hard enough. It felt as though she had woken up in a different body—a frail, old body. She still needed to wrap her mind around it. She needed to comfort herself, telling herself that everything would be all right. Again.

"So, this is why… you never talked about your work… and the ranch," Piper muttered. Talking tired her. She wasn't better than she thought. It felt like her body had bounced back to life, but for only a few days, and now it was dying again. She hadn't mentioned to her doctor or her family how she felt, hoping that the fatigue and the pain would subside in a few days. She thought that she could hold on.

Carol had been sitting at the foot of the bed, a hand covering her mouth. Shocked. Appalled. Horror in her eyes. "I can't believe this. What have you done to us, Bill? You almost got our daughter killed! You could have gotten us all killed!"

Danny quickly came up to his mother's side and embraced her, rubbing her arms. "Piper is ok now, mom."

Helen shot a grim look at Bill before she turned and strode out of the room.

"Helen," Bill called out, but failed to follow.

Sitting on a chair next to the bed, Larry had been holding Piper's hand, occasionally giving her a squeeze, trying to reassure her that he would never leave her. Piper was thankful for it. She even turned to smile at him, although her vision was already swimming, her head heavy. She just fancied a sleep right now, but then remembered that she had just woken up less than two hours ago. She was fed up with passing out. She was sick of feeling so much pain, and then found herself drowned in the heavy, drugged dreams. Nothing seemed to fix the problem. Nothing could ease her pain. It felt almost as if she had woken up for nothing. No one.

The door shut behind Helen. Carol turned to glare at her former husband. "I don't trust Piper with you anymore. As soon as she's allowed to leave the hospital, I'm taking her to England with me."

Danny nodded in agreement. "It's too dangerous here, dad. You and Piper should come with us."

Bill sighed. "I can't leave. I have some business to take care of."

"What more business? With your crazy boss?" Carol let out an exasperated sigh. "I don't believe this! I've never been this glad to have left you!"

"Carol, please," Bill said, looking away.

For once, Piper agreed with her mother. She couldn't believe her own family. She was just so sick of everything. The talk had stressed her out. The danger around them scared her. Things had become much more complicated than she had thought, but her mind and body were not ready to take it all in. She tiredly threw her head back against the pillow, but bit her bottom lip to kill the cry of pain before it could escape her lips.

"Are you ok, Piper?" Larry asked. He had noticed. After all these years, it was always him, staying behind, waiting for her. He would notice every little thing about her, pain and joy. He would be there to console her and support her. Even in this dire state, Piper finally realized that she was blessed. While Larry was the safe harbor, Alex was the stormy sea, waiting to drown her.

"I'll go get the doctor," Bill said, moving towards the door.

Carol and Danny turned to look at Piper with worried look.

"I... I'm fine." Piper forced out a smile. "I... " She heard herself speak, then nothing came out. Her body went limp and cold, her vision blackened. Her heart pounded in her ears, her lungs squeezed. Eyes fluttering closed, she heard her parents' screaming in the murky distance.

At last, a blissful slumber. For what seemed to be endless hours, Piper felt nothing, and she was grateful for it. Darkness lured her deeper and deeper into oblivion. Free of physical pain. Free of emotional turmoil. She couldn't hear her parents now. She couldn't see the rage and terror in their eyes anymore. Everything was peaceful. Perhaps, it was better this way, being hidden away behind this thick, black clouds. Perhaps, it was better stay here forever.

But the peaceful moment couldn't last. Pain erupted again, beating her body and spirit into submission. She had screamed in surrender, but it still wouldn't stop. It came at her like a vengeance. As if it wanted to make her pay for all the happy moments that she had lived. It was ripping her apart, pulling her insides out. And, then, it subsided, vanishing like a ghost at dawn. It left as easily as it came. The drastic episodes of tranquility and the violent pain continued to surged and submerged endlessly. Piper could only pray for everything to stop.

"I'm taking her to France. I got relatives living in Paris. We'll be far away from your boss and his gang, and his gang's enemies. We'll be far away from you." Larry growled at Bill. He impatiently paced in front of the ICU, his fists clenched.

Piper had come out of the surgery an hour ago. Internal bleeding was stopped, and her condition was stable again. Only Bill and Carol were allowed a brief visit right after the surgery, while others had to wait until tomorrow morning. If Piper's condition continued to improve, she would be moved out of the intensive unit within a day. The doctor was optimistic about it.

"We'll discuss this in the morning, Larry," Carol said, and then turned to Bill, "I'm heading back to the hotel with Danny. See you tomorrow."

Bill nodded, softly patting Carol's shoulder. "It's been a long day. Get some rest. Good night, son."

"Bye, dad." Danny led his mother out.

As soon as Carol was out of sight, Bill turned to Larry, his gaze cold. "You are not yet my son-in-law, or are even close to that position. Do not tell me what to do with my daughter. Know your place, Bloom."

Larry blushed in anger. He glared up at Bill, who was several inches taller, staring down his nose back at him. "You lied to everyone. You kept them in the dark, risking everyone's life. Piper was lucky that she's still alive. She was shot, Bill. Twice! Did you see how much pain she was in? Do you realize what you've done? You almost got her killed. I don't think you have the rights to decide what's best for her anymore as you've clearly shown that you've only looked after your best interest!"

Bill grabbed Larry by the collar and threw him against the wall, snarling in Larry's face. "Don't test me, young man. I have zero tolerance left this evening, but a Beretta underneath my jacket. You have no idea what or who I'm dealing with. You have no fucking clue! Go back home to your daddy!" He shoved Larry off the wall.

Larry fought Bill off, pushing back at him. Panting, he stopped and glowered at the taller man. "I love Piper, Mr. Chapman. I love her, and I won't let anyone put her in harm's way even if it's her own father. I don't think I'm wrong in this instance. I might be just... just a man, but I'll do everything in my power to keep her safe. I'm going to talk to her tomorrow about moving away. I'm most certain that I can take care of her physically and financially. I hope that you'll be fair enough to let me have the discussion with her, and let her make the decision without keeping her in the dark again. She doesn't deserve any of this." With that, Larry stalked away, leaving Bill alone in the corridor.

Only when Larry turned around the corner, Bill allowed himself to sit down on the bench, leaning back against the cold wall. Exhausted. Numbed. The only comfort he found tonight was the loaded gun in his shoulder holster. Although Kubra had assigned two men guarding by the entrance of the hospital just for Piper's case, Bill still wanted to be prepared. He had to protect Piper with everything he had. He couldn't afford to make a mistake again. He would never be able to forgive himself.

But his body knew its limit. After sleepless nights, his eyelids grew heavy, and exhaustion crept in, taking over him. It blanketed him, blinding him. He heard distant footsteps down the hallway, but he couldn't seem to open his eyes now.

Blue eyes fluttered open. Piper groaned a little at the soft, morning light coming through the gaps between the curtains. The dull pain on her chest instantly came back to haunt her, reminding her the state she was in. Another surgery. The doctor, the interns and the nurses. The oxygen mask and the tubes going in and out of her body. The knives cut into her again and again. Piper was amazed how much she remembered. Too much for her own liking.

Piper had no idea how long she had been out. The fight between her parents felt like an hour ago, two days ago, or a week ago. She couldn't tell. Silence was deafening in the room. She was all alone, but, thankfully, the warm sunlight had kept her company. She weakly lifted her left hand, letting the dust dancing along her skin. She felt alive again. Or, at least, the painkiller was still in effect.

"Hm." A soft groan.

Piper paused at the foreign voice. It disrupted her peace. It stirred up strange feelings within her. It gave her hope when she least needed it.

"Hm."

Out of the corner of her eyes, Piper could tell a shadowy figure moving slightly on the chair at the foot of her bed. Blue gaze adjusted to the light and shadow in the room. Her eyes focused again, and her attention eventually landed at the figure on the chair. Blue met with green. The shade of green Piper had never seen anywhere else.

Alex had been napping on the chair, hugging a brown paper bag. She had just woken up, murmuring. Her silky, raven hair had cascaded down her right shoulder, much longer than last time Piper had seen her. Her skin still pale, her cheekbones could cut the paper. Alex's looks had matured marvelously.

Piper had no idea what Alex had been muttering in her sleep. She had no idea what day it was, or what was happening right now. She had no idea why Alex was here. So close to her. Once again. Piper thought that she must have been dreaming. Alex was just a dream. Someone had to fucking wake her up now. She wanted to wake up from this.

The door suddenly burst open. A big nurse in her mid-forties emerged, a deep frown on her face. She glared down at the paper bag in Alex's arms. "You can't drink inside the hospital. You have to leave now." Her voice was loud and clear. Her tone was resolute.

The groggy Alex scrambled up to her feet. Head down, she pushed her way towards the door, about to leave.

Alex is leaving.

Again.

Panic began to set in Piper's chest. Everything was happening so fast. Piper would have thought that it was just a dream, if it wasn't for the nurse's presence. Alex was really here, and Piper didn't even know how she should feel about it. She didn't know if she should welcome or reject it. It had been three fucking years. She could still recall all the lonely, painful moments she had endured, waiting hopelessly for Alex to return. In her right mind, she shouldn't stop Alex. She should let her go.

"No, don't go—ah!" Piper had lifted her shoulders, but instantly fell back down to bed. Her chest heaved fast at the sharp pain tearing in her chest. She shut her eyes tightly, trembling as she gritted her teeth. Moving was a really, really bad idea. She didn't even want to breathe right now.

"Don't move. I'll go get the doctor," the nurse said, turning away to head towards the exit. "You, out of the way!" The nurse then left the room.

After a moment, Piper opened her eyes again. Beads of sweat trickled down her face. She felt like a weak puppy, soaked in the rain. Absolutely miserable. She only calmed down when a hand reached out and wiped the perspiration from her forehead. She looked up and was met with the concerned, emerald pools. Alex was still here, standing right next to her bed. Her hand was still soft, her touch still warm. No matter how long the absence between them, they fell right back together. It felt just like the way it used to be. Was this even real? How was it even possible? The years that Piper had spent, trying to move on, was threatened by a simple visit from the ghost of the past. It frustrated Piper that things with 'Alex Vause' had never been simple.

Alex reluctantly retracted her hand. She remained still for a moment, and the air suddenly became colder. For a moment, Piper was sure that Alex would simply vanish into thin air, and she would wake from this nightmare.

Then, a smile crept up Alex's peaceful face, a hint of longing reemerging in the green gaze. "Hello, Pipes."

A/N: Thank you for the kind words :) xoxo