"Alex I really do not need a lift to work. I need my car, you need yours." Piper sighed as she watched Alex frown and try to think of a reason to justify her offer. "Look if you really want to check out Tasha follow me in, but I don't want you scaring her off before she even starts. If you have not done that already!" she muttered.

Nodding Alex picked up her brief case and followed Piper outside. Watching Piper walk to her car she called over, "You coming back here tonight?"

"Sure I can do, for a while anyway. But I do need to go home tonight Al, I have been here all weekend, I need to do some laundry get some food in."

"Ok. Well why don't we go out for dinner, my treat, then tomorrow when you have all your chores done you can stay here."

Piper grinned "You just want me here to cook for you, I know."

"Well if you make pancakes every morning like you did today I would be a fool not too!" Alex grinned.

"Ok, well come follow me this morning, say hi to Tash then I will text you later, let you know what time we are finishing."

Nodding Alex climbed into her car and followed Piper through the streets until they reached the unit. Alex knew she had plenty of time, her first meeting was not until 11. As she put the car into park she noticed the bike parked round the side of the building. Whistling quietly to herself she got out and walked towards it.

"Hey!" Came a nervous voice from behind her. Turning Alex's eyes widened when n she saw Tash standing nervously on the corner.

"This yours?" Alex asked curiously.

"Yes." Tash smiled. "My baby."

"It's beautiful!" Alex smiled, walking slowly around the machine.

"Uh hm..." came a cough form behind the two women and turning Alex grinned sheepishly as she saw Pipers laughing expression.

"Hi." Tash smiled shyly.

"Morning!" Piper grinned. "I see you have found Alex's weak spot!"

"You like bikes?" Tasha asked hopefully.

Alex nodded. Still eyeing the machine before her.

"Perhaps you should bring it tomorrow." Piper teased, "you can compare notes."

Alex eyed Piper suspiciously knowing she was teasing but also thinking what a good idea it sounded. She asked Tasha a few more questions before Piper interrupted again. "Ok, now I hate to be a party pooper, but we have work to do and you have a meeting to get too. I'll call you later." She moved to kiss Alex quickly before waving Tasha into the unit. Shaking her head Piper smiled at the young girl stood looking at her nervously. "Don't look so worried. I would say you just passed the biggest test."

"She doesn't like me does she?"

Piper sighed. "It's not as simple as that, and she will be fine. That bike of yours will give you something to talk about if nothing else."

"Err..." Tasha frowned. "Is she here a lot?"

Piper grinned. "No. Don't panic. Usually it's just me and Polly. Alex works for Barneys, so we have a fair amount of business dealings; but she is too high up to worry about our day to day operations. She only did your interview as a favour to me, then her overhearing our conversation just triggered a few sensitive buttons. But they are personal issues between her and I and have no bearing on your position, so don't worry. Now first job of the day. How do you take your coffee?"

Once her nerves had settled Tasha quickly began asking questions and Piper realised she really was keen to understand the business and all the workings. As lunchtime drew nearer Piper set up the work bench and demonstrated the process of the bar soaps they were making for the Barney order. Tasha had out her notebook and was taking precise notes as Piper spoke.

"You want to try?" Piper asked. Amused at how serious the young girl was being.

"You trust me to do it already?"

"Hey you make a mistake we start again. It's not a test Tash and it really isn't that hard. Go on."

She left the area to give the girl some space and began making some more coffee. Hearing the door close she looked up and grinned not only was Alex stood in the door but so was Polly.

"Polly! Oh it's so lovely to see you! Are you sure its ok you are here?"

"Yes, its fine, Alex called to tell me about the treatments she booked for me and Pete, then she told me about our new assistant and when I kept firing questions at her I think she thought it was quicker just to bring me over!"

"Well I'm glad she did." Piper threw Alex a thankful smile and dragged her friend and partner over to where Tash was working. Introductions over piper let the women talk as she looked over the work Tasha had done.

"Well?" Came Alex quiet voice beside her.

"She's done well!" Piper smiled. "Not as many as Polly or I could have made but each one is perfect so no wastage." She grinned leaning up to kiss Alex. "Thank you."

"Hey I didn't make them," Alex chuckled but wrapped her arms around Piper's waist never the less.

"No, but you found her and I am sure it will work out just fine."

"Excellent then why don't we all go sit in the kitchen and eat the food I brought with me before I take Polly home. I sprung her on the understanding I would have her back with Pete within 2 hours."

Piper laughed, "How was your meeting?"

"Good. Robin wanted an introductory meeting to meet the sales team. Was quite funny seeing them all on their best behaviour. Even Nicky behaved! I think it will be ok though, he wants to know the business but seems more than happy to let them do their own thing if he sees it works."

"And what about you?" Piper smiled. "You happy with the way things are going to be?"

"Sure I would be a fool not to be. I get to work not only with the team at barneys which I loved but with Robin too." She looked almost embarrassed as she admitted, "it was always my dream. His reputation in the business world is phenomenal."

Piper grinned and whispered "I think you are phenomenal!" She giggled as she saw Alex eyes widen and a blush cross her cheeks. "But before you let my praise go to your head I have a favour to ask."

"Okay." Alex looked cautious again.

"I want to ask Tash to dinner with us."

"What? Why? I thought it was going to be just us?" Alex frowned.

"I know, but I have been talking to her this morning and a few things she said kind of reminded me of the stories you have told me of you when you were younger. She is keen bright and ambitious. She has put herself through college, worked as many jobs as needed to pay for it herself but has no real friends that I can tell."

"That's not your job Pipes, you don't need to mother her, just teach her the job."

Piper shrugged "I know but just think for a second, if you had had someone look out for you would not you have felt better."

Alex looked defensive. "I wasn't exactly a loner Piper."

Piper grinned "No, but you were conscious of your background you told me that, I think Tasha is trying very hard to fit in and maybe she is doing so by trying to turn herself into someone she isn't just to be accepted."

"You talking about the fact she has not got blue hair just to get a job? that life Pipes"

"Maybe, but I was thinking this weekend we are going to be away so why don't we introduce Tasha to the girls tonight, we haven't had a night at the bar in ages, you could even invite Robin." Piper smiled.

Alex eyed her cautiously. "Ok, but only if we all eat first. And..." she grinned, "as you have so many chores and can't come to mine how about I stay at yours tonight."

Piper laughed. "Deal. I am not going to turn down the opportunity of waking up with you, you know that."

As the two women let their attention refocus on Polly and Tash who were chatting happily, Alex informed them of the plans and asked Polly if her and Pete wanted to join them.

"I am not sure if it's wise letting Pete loose with Nicky and alcohol again especially if your big boss is going to be there but I will ask him."

So saying goodbye Alex and Polly left, leaving Piper and Tash to continue with their day.

O0o

"You do this often?" Tash asked sounding amazed.

"Yes usually every Friday. In fact, it was in here I first me t Alex." Piper smiled reminiscently. Looking at Tasha's nervous face Piper asked, "you can't be nervous surely, I mean you worked in a gay club, believe me this place is tame in comparison."

"Yeah maybe," Tasha shrugged, "but that was just a job you know, to pay the bills. This is different Piper, I really want this and the people here, they all have so much experience, knowledge, I don't know anything."

Piper tried not to laugh as she put an arm around the girl. "Look before you build them up, or put them on some kind of pedestal meet them first, you are about to discover that not everyone in the business world is suited booted and straight laced."

O0o

"She doesn't look so nervous anymore does she." Piper smiled resting her head on Alex's shoulder as she watched Tasha laughing at the stories Lorna was telling her about an indignant looking Nicky.

"No she doesn't and I am willing to admit this was probably a very good idea." Alex smiled kissing the top of Piper's head.

"You are?" Piper grinned lifting her head and smiling at Alex.

"Yes, but only if you agree to dance with me."

"Ok," piper nodded enthusiastically standing and holding out her hand.

Once on the dance floor she sighed happily. "I'm not the only one who had a good idea today," she smiled. "I am not sure I would have been able to go home tonight alone."

"I know," Alex nodded, "look come over here." Pulling Piper to a quiet corner of the bar she shoved her into a booth out of sight of their friends. "Listen Piper when I suggested we went out to dinner tonight it is because I wanted to tell you something, well ask your opinion really." Alex babbled nervously.

"Al, what is it? what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong Pipes, I just wanted to know if you would consider moving in with me. Permanently."

She saw Pipers mouth open and cut her off quickly, "you don't need to answer now, I have sprung this on you. I know how much you love that little apartment. But what you said, about not wanting to be alone tonight, well that's how I feel too Piper. And us being apart, well I know that will happen because of work on occasion but why make it more often than that?"

Piper stood up and reached for Alex's hand. Nodding resigned she had maybe pushed to fast Alex followed Piper back to the table their friends were still sat at.

But instead of sitting Piper grabbed her bag and jacket before turning to the women watching her. "We're off." She smiled, "please don't corrupt Tasha in my absence!" she winked at the young girl. "And don't you believe anything they tell you when we are gone." With a wave she pulled a slightly stunned Alex after her.

"Pipes?" Alex asked tentatively once outside.

Piper turned to face her. "Al I would love to live with you! Your place, my place, a shack on the beach I don't care!"

"Let's get out of here!" Alex mumbled.

"What's the rush?" Piper laughed as she was dragged towards the parking lot.

"We have to get home," Alex stated firmly, "we have packing to do!"

0o0

A/N: Thanks for the lovely reviews and messages. It is great to hear from new people just discovering the story too. Looking forward to hearing what you think of this chapter, even though short. They are taking another big step ;-) A x