Chapter Twenty-Eight

Nicky came back while everyone else was at work. Piper and Red helped her to settle back in her old bunk. She looked really tired but happy to be back.

"I never thought I'd be happy to see institutional beige...I think I'm more disturbed by this than the whole almost dying," Nichols said in a flat sarcastic tone. Piper winced. She prayed she didn't stay in there long enough to crave the familiarity. Alex had said she couldn't sleep after her time in prison unless the light was on...and she slept with a gun. Piper couldn't keep her mind from the task at hand. She could really only think of the details. Even as she listened to Nicky hold court, sitting on Gina's bunk as she told the details of all the drugs she was given...and the ones she refused. Piper was just happy to have her here. She waited what she felt was the right amount of time, then left to go speak to the officer assigned her today. I was Officer Banner again. Piper was wary of him but he was very personable and kept his distance. She said she wanted to return a book to the library. He frowned.

She smiled sweetly and got her book. She wasn't on lockdown and could go to the library. She felt she could actually work. She only felt a twinge when she reached far for things or lifted anything over a few pounds. She knew she'd likely be hurting worse if her plan fucked up. It was something she had to do though. Piper's vision on this was razor sharp. It was totally premeditated. Alex would be proud of her, if she wasn't furious at her for trying it. She knew Alex would have a chance to make a call at lunch...and there was nothing she could do about it. But she was going to see her before lunch.

He followed her down the hallway. Nicky poked her head up some from her bunk. She had a cane but seemed to be getting round fine. She once told Piper she was on a strict regime of cough medicine...maybe no microbe could harm Nicky.

"You going to the library? I'm sure she knows the way Officer," she asked with a grin to Piper and a glare to Banner. Piper nodded and held up a copy of a Poetry Collection by Robert Frost.

" Returning this...I am going to see if Middlesex is in, I think it is time for a reread. I'll be back, enjoy some alone time with your Mom," Piper said with a smile. She hoped her sincerity was noticeable. Nicky did turn her head a certain way and raise her eyebrows some. Piper smiled as she left the dorm and walked to the library. He didn't speak to her and stayed a foot or two behind her. Piper felt his stare on her back and felt jumpy. Could he tell what she was planning? Did she look innocent enough? She wasn't ever really good at hiding what she was feeling. Piper was an open book that thought first about herself and then expected the world to jump in and help her figure out her life. She was working on it.

It helped to have a sense of purpose. Alex always seemed to provide that for her and now she was determined to make sure no other girl in that prison touched her while Piper was there. She couldn't concentrate on the fact there would be months...years where Alex would be on her own in here. No, she had to plan some details.

"I will need to see the nurse today as well. I know I need an appointment but-" Piper started to argue why she should be allowed to have access to the nurse due to her current medication being pained based.

"Chapman, you have access if you need it. Caputo's orders," he said in a voice that told Piper he felt it was ridiculous she was treated differently. But she stopped and looked at him. She realized that he wasn't upset she got access and others didn't...he was upset it was because of race and money. He didn't blame Piper he just saw the system for what it was. Piper knew then he'd never last at this job.

"I also need to see Sophia," Piper said as if it just popped in to her head. He nodded again and reminded her he would let her know if she was going out of bounds. Piper stopped by to see DeMarco. She had a cough and was made to stay in her bunk doing breath treatments. She promised to come by and read her an article from People tomorrow.

"Unless I get cleared to go back to work," Piper said hopefully. Officer Banner looked at her with sympathy and she knew immediately that the nurse had no say when she was cleared for work. She clenched her jaw and just focused herself on the tasks at hand.

Alex was filing books and Poussey was checking them out. The library was nearly empty because most inmates were at work. They had new rules about the library that no one liked. After the incidents with cigarettes and drugs, the officers limit the number of prisoners allowed in there at one time. It pissed people off because they counted Alex and Poussey in the mix and it meant you had to wait to go in to the library to just browse. Piper placed the book in the box. Banner stopped at the door and started to talk to the officer at the door. Piper looked at her and Poussey smiled. She greeted her like they were friends and then told her quietly. " A week from today. Directly into the care of the government...and yeah you were right about that guy," she said. Piper nodded and asked her about Middlesex. She bent down to check the box where they kept the most popular books. You had to get them from behind the counter.

"So what do you need me to do?" Poussey asked. Piper told her she needed to make sure that the certain someone was in the suburb bathroom at a certain time tomorrow. It was right before her therapy with Healy. She was fairly certain she could get everything she wanted done by then. If not, she'd have to wing it or wait for a better opportunity.

"You don't need to stay, I'll take it once it is all -"Piper began in a hushed tone when she stood and seemed triumphant that she found the book.

"Nope, that is not how we're going to do this Chapman. I got your back. I'll watch one exist, you need to get coverage for the other side. Make it quick, no more than three minutes...and as quiet as you can," she said clearly. Piper nodded and turned to go get another book.

She stalked Alex through the stacks. It was sexy. Once when they were dating Piper had her meet her at a library. She couldn't visit that library without smiling to this day. She peered at Alex through the books and she stopped to stare back. She was worried. Piper could see it all over her face. She didn't want her to worry. That was something that Piper was going to try her best to do. She could only control certain things in her life. First and foremost, she could control her own actions.

"Don't make that call yet. Think about it...no one will touch you again. I promise," Piper said softly. Alex stiffened and leaned in close to the stacks. She looked at Piper through those eyes that change colors with her mood. She couldn't ever pin down just one color.

"I don't want that Piper. Listen to yourself...this isn't you," Alex spoke through gritted teeth.

Piper smiled at her and turned her head to the side. She leaned in as well until they were just the length of the shelf apart. "Yes it is me. Taking care of you the best I can is the most natural thing I've done in a long time. Just remember, if you make that call and make a choice that will pull you from me again, I don't think I can survive leaving you again," Piper explained to her in a hushed whisper. Alex's eyes got wide and she turned to go around the corner of the shelf. Piper didn't want to give Officer Banner something to complain about ...like Alex holding her. So she turned and left with a cheery " Oh by the way, Nicky is safe in her bunk."

Poussey smiled at the news as Piper just took the book she already picked out and left. Everything seemed to be going well. She went to the nurse and asked for more ibuprofen. Piper said she was really stiff in the morning and a higher dosage then would probably help her move better during the day. She tried to get the nurse to see how better she was doing. He gave her props for effort and sent her on with 800 mg of ibuprofen. She cheeked it and when Banner wasn't looking put it in her pocket. Now she had a bit extra to help with her look like she wasn't in pain.

She then went to see Sophia. She was happy to see Piper and had just finished up cleaning her space. She had scrubbed it really hard. Piper helped her put some items back but Banner made her stop before she strained something.

"Really? Why are you getting the princess and the pea treatment?" she asked looking at Piper like she was a privileged bitch.

Piper glared at the officer, "I have no idea. Most likely they are afraid I am going to sue them over the mudslide incident. Um look, Sophia rubs my back when I'm cramping...I was thinking maybe that is why I'm hurting. Also, I ruined my nails in that van...um could we have a few moments?" Piper asked sweetly and he frowned.

"Maybe he wants to watch Chapman...I mean I do put my hands on you," Sophia came up behind her and started to rub her back. Piper nearly moaned. Wow, her hands were amazing. He got flustered suddenly and mumbled before turning on his heel in a very reflex, military way and exited the room.

Piper looked over her shoulder at the beautiful woman and said, "Thank you. I just couldn't take him in my fucking business one fucking second longer," Piper admitted.

"You got some shit ass luck Chapman. I've been hearing all kinds of things about you and your girl. You looking for make up to cover that shit up? I have strong opinions about laying hands on your loved ones," she said in a tone that told Piper she'd get her ass kicked if she asked her to help her cover up that.

"Don't believe what you hear-" Piper started.

"No, I figured it was bullshit. I just had to say that in case. You two love each other, it is plain as the nose on my face. So what can I do for you...and what are you going to do for me? " Sophia asked. Piper smiled.

"I do need a nail file. I chipped this one something fierce...but I need something more metal," Piper knew she was asking her for shiv quality metal. She looked at Piper and waited for her to tell her what she would get in return.

She offered her some soda or whatever she wanted from commissary. She thought about it for a moment and added more to it with candy as well. Piper didn't bargain. She agreed to it and then asked Sophia to trust her until she went through commissary.

"It doesn't get traced to me...and add making me one of those hooks with the wire so I have an extra place in my cube," she countered. Piper had figured how to use her needle nose pliers to fashion an extra hook for your bunk. She had put a few up in her cube, then others had asked. She was just doing it for people but Red had suggested she use it to bargain with some. Piper was happy to comply. Sophia reached in the seam of the chair and pulled out a metal nail file. Piper put in her panties and thanked her. She did buff her nails some and they laughed as Piper moaned like she was getting a strong massage. They had the hardest time not laughing at the sounds. Piper emerged with a look of serene pleasure on her face. Big Boo was standing by the door waiting to see Sophia for something. Piper thought by the look of her hair, she needed a trim. Her face was priceless and Sophia seemed to relish the flabbergasted respect she showed her.

She went back to the dorm and then to lunch. Everyone was happy to see Nicky but Lorna, who now worked in the laundry was the most happy. She hugged her so long the guards had to say something to her. She just kept looking at her with adoration. Nicky had to use this footed cane that she didn't want to use. Piper could see Bell making her use it as she walked. Nicky had a shadow as well it seemed. No one really made a reference to it and for once Nicky wasn't joking. She sat beside Alex and immediately she felt her hand on her leg.

"I see Piper bitch slapped you into submission Vause...or are you going to tell me what the fuck happened for real?" Nicky said in a low voice once Alex sat down across from her. Alex's face lit up when she saw Nicky but from her expression, Piper could tell that she had expected the question up front. She respected her friend.

"I fell. Enough though, I want to hear about all the hot nurses you banged while away," Alex snarked back. Nicky said none of them were all that. Piper realized she didn't want to talk about a hot nurse with Lorna by her side. She fussed a bit over Nicky not eating. She commented that the food there was a bit more spicy than she was used to since the hospital. Red smiled some and appreciated how Nicky still had her back. Piper did notice that she spoke in a lower tone as not to offend Gloria. After a tearful goodbye from Lorna, Piper walked with Nicky back towards the dorm. She leaned in and whispered that it would be great if she just put her hoodie up as she walked. Nicky glanced at her for a moment as if she had grown another head. She put up her hoodie and asked Piper if it met her approval. She nodded and they walked on in silence. She was pretty sure neither officer following them realized it was Piper's idea that she put up her hood.

She walked Nicky to her bunk and helped her get settled. Red was called to Healy's office and Piper sat with her while Nicky rested in her bunk. She had been sleeping most of the day and the energy that Nick used to walk to the kitchen had wiped her out. She patted her bunk and Piper moved over to sit beside her.

She reached out and took Piper's hand. "You saved my life Chapman, that means you own me," she said with all seriousness. Piper laughed softly.

"I'm not here for human trafficking so thanks but no thanks. Just get better and maybe do me a favor for the next few days...first keep wearing your hoodie up over your hair when you walk with your cane..second tomorrow when I tell you a story about my grandad's fishing cabin, leave your cane by your cube door and slip over like you can do under the nose of guards," Piper whispered. She had to take advantage of Red not being near to tell her what she needed.

"Piper Chapman, are you trying to lure me to your bunk to show me how you now own me? I'm not saying you aren't attractive but Vause is my friend too and I think Lorna might be hurt by it," she said with a smirk that told Piper she was totally kidding.

"Ha ha..not that you aren't a sexy woman...no I need you to sleep in my bunk, covered up with Red's blanket for about ten mins. I'll come back and you can sit up. I'll play cards with you on the bunk until I leave for Healy's office. Can you do this for me no questions asked?" Piper asked her.

Nicky laughed. "Have you met me? I came out of the womb curious and asking the doctor questions. But...like I said...you saved my life and I'm fairly certain that this is about Vause. Just...don't get caught. If you can wait until I'm better I can help."

Piper assured her that she was helping her more doing this than anything. Nicky could get a shot for being out of her cube and she could get in trouble for helping her if Piper gets caught. She was already asking enough of Nichols.

"I'll be careful. I have a plan and I'm not alone. I just didn't seek help in the family. Already they think Red beat Alex. I need to do this myself, quickly and quietly. Thank you, just keep your head covered and sleep like me," Piper suggested. Nicky rolled her eyes as if to say she didn't need help know how to pretend to be Piper. She started to get up and let her sleep but Nicky grabbed her hand. Piper stayed on the bunk and watched Nicky fall to sleep. She was touched that she wanted her close. Piper pushed some of her wild mane out of her eyes and let herself feel relief that she was back here.

"I'm so glad you made it back to your family," Piper whispered. She was answered by Nicky's not so lady like snore. Piper smiled and wiped her eyes so she could watch her sleep better.

**Happy Labor Day my US readers. I'm not really around internet but I thought I should post something this weekend. Plans plans plans ...Piper sure is making plans. Please review, Fae***