Chapter One

Alex still had ahold of her hand as they turned the corner to return to the dorms. No one was around. It seemed like everyone was in the hallway, rushing towards something. Piper had seen what she thought to be the beginning of a riot. She didn't want to end up in the middle of it and apparently neither did Alex. So she let her pull her into her cube and they both dove onto her bunk. She liked it there though she knew it was only an illusion of safety she felt.

"What the fuck?" Alex asked as she peeked up and over the bunks once more before returning. She was tired and very anxious. Piper always thought Alex was lying about her drug use after she left. However, after she had to kill Aydin, Piper had witnessed Alex trying to keep it together. She understood the attraction of drugs when all you want is a cease to the relentless shittiness of reality. This reality...the prison slowly spiralling into riot wasn't something Piper thought she could handle.

"It's over Poussey I'm sure. How long before they come in with guns blazing? This is really bad Alex," Piper reached for her other hand and squeezed it hard. "Do you think all the slips burned up before they trampled them?" She knew eventually the authorities would come in and clean up. She was afraid for Alex if they realized who Aydin was and who he worked for...they were the only two people from Kubra's organization that were incarcerated at Litchfield. Her guilt had put them both at risk and this riot wasn't helping. She knew she was self centered to be worried about herself in the middle of the horrific situation at the prison, but she couldn't help it. She had to think clear for the both of them.

Alex pulled her closer and they both pulled their feet up onto her bunk. "I think they all burned up, Pipes. If not, their trampled now beyond…" she shook her head. "I mean, everyone is there….it's like each dorm emptied out. I wonder-"

They heard a shot ring out. PIper jumped up and hit her head on the top bunk. Alex moved to push Piper down on the bed some, covering her with her body. Piper was startled again for a moment by her immediate reaction. "What the fuck?! Isn't it too soon for the SWAT team?" she mumbled. Piper reached out and hugged Alex fiercely.

"It was probably one of the sicko guards," Piper said as she turned her head into her neck. Alex looked out and then slowly started to rise away from her.

Alex flushed with slight embarrassment. "Sorry I didn't mean to squish-"

Piper kissed her then. She reached up and kissed Alex, holding her face with both hands. They kissed tenderly for a few wonderful moments. Alex lifted PIper up in her arms so she could deepen the kiss. Piper felt her body tingle all over and she missed the feeling as soon as Alex broke the kiss and looked at Piper with a curious gaze. "The world is literally burning around us and you tried to protect me...if I don't get a chance to say this again before something more happens...let me say I love you Alex Vause."

Alex reached up and pushed some hair from her forehead. Piper's breath caught when she looked into her deep green eyes. She was scared but Piper could see a so much caring in her eyes. "It's all my fault you're here, kid. What if it had been you under his knee? Or if that bullet found its way inside of you-" her voice broke and Piper watched those eyes begin to swim with tears.

"I understand….fear of something else happening to you has overwhelmed my every thought. I don't know what's going to happen with us or to us...all I know is I need you to be alright. I need this like the air I breathe," Piper admitted. Alex was stunned looking at her. They rarely were they this forthright about their feelings. "I know it's sappy but sometimes it is all I can think about." Alex nodded as if she understood. They just looked at one another with a soft loving gaze. Alex was about to say something when they heard some commotion. Piper clung to her more and they listened.

"I don't care what they say, I want the response team here immediately. I will coordinate them once here, Piscatella will not be here," Caputo spat out into some kind of walkie as he walked by with some corporate guys and one guard walking briskly behind him. "Find her! The next time you come on this radio you had better have her safely in hand!" He sounded like he was about to come unhinged. He didn't even glance as he walked through their dorm.

They waited until they heard the dorm hall cell doors slam and lock before either of them put their feet down and peeked up from her bunk. Alex stood and started to walk along back and forth in the small space of her cube. Piper could tell she didn't like the sound of the door locking but there wasn't anything they could do now. She stood and walked over to lean against the cube wall. No one was watching them from the guard box, they must have run out when the prisoners started to yell. They were all alone and it reminded her of the time the WAC elections were being held.

"At least it's quiet," Piper said. Alex looked at her like she was crazy then seemed to realize how right Piper actually was...there is always noise in prison….not just gunshots but banging metal and human sounds are constant. The area was quiet while whatever raged elsewhere. "It was like this once before...during the WAC elections. Red was reading in peace and told me to shut up when I tried to say something. I remember, I was so new that all I could think about was taking a shit in peace. But afterwards, I came in here….and well, held your pillow." Alex smirked at her and Piper blushed some. It was a school girl thing to do but they were so far apart at that time. Alex wasn't speaking to her and it was so hard to be near her without touching.

"Don't make fun we were in a bad place," she said before Alex could say anything else.

"Oh I wasn't going to….when you and Pensatucky went at it...when I saw you being taken to the SHU, completely unconscious, I switched out pillows too. Your scent comforted me and helped me not to worry so much about you," Alex said with a small smile. Piper blinked.

"You hated me then because I chose to be with Larry," Piper pointed out. Alex laughed some and walked closer to Piper. She reached out and ran her fingertips along Piper's jaw and then gently carressed her cheek.

"Even when I hate you, I love you...thought we figured that out with all the hate sex we had. I was so fucking worried about you then. Everyone said you dead...it drove me crazy. Then I was taken to Chicago and I thought I'd never get to see you again...then there you were," Alex told her gently. Piper reached out and put her arms around Alex's waist. Piper hugged her close and couldn't help the smile that fell to her lips. Alex loves her even when she hates her. Piper thought only she felt that way. Her woman always tries to act like she knows what to do and how she feels...but she doesn't really know any more than Piper.

"We are all tangled. I wouldn't change that and no matter what happens, I agree that we are destined to be here together," Piper told her softly. Alex leaned in to give her a kiss. Their lips barely touched and then they both heard numerous shots ring out from someplace else in the prison.

****Hi my readers, I am sorry it has taken me so long to write. I really did love this season. I've been travelling all summer and have only now have some time to write. Please let me know by reviews if you'd like me to continue this story. Peace, Fae***