The matte black rental Sedan Kubra had provided Nicky with sat parked under the dimly lit sign of the gas station just five miles away from the Canadian border. Nicky stood outside of it, chain smoking and drinking from a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag. It was now nearing midnight, four hours past the time the border patrol agent had said he'd be there to meet her. Her foot tapped quickly on the cold pavement, her pointed boot making a clicking sound with each connection.

She stared up at the stars and listened to the buzz of flies and gnats banging against the overflowing trash can on the sidewalk she was parked against. She wondered just how much longer she needed to stand out here leaning against the vehicle before someone called the police on her for loitering. She didn't know if she'd be able to hide the bag of fentanyl a second time.

A sudden noise to her left shook her from her wandering gaze. The gas station clerk had turned out all the lights and was locking the door behind him. A scrawny, pimple faced boy who's bright red uniform shirt seemingly drooped off of his neck. He and Nicky stared at each other for a moment. He sniffled and looked around before meeting her eyes again.

"You…You uh, doing okay out here? I'm closing up." He said sheepishly.

"Yeah, all good." Nicky took another long swig from her paper bag.

The kid crossed his arms and bounced, alternating his feet in an awkward little dance as if he really had to pee. She craned her neck, looking him over.

"You doing okay out here?" She chuckled. The kid sighed and took a deep breath in, brushing his greasy blond hair off of his forehead.

"How much do you charge?" He asked quietly.

"S'cuse me?" Nicky kept eye contact as she hit her cigarette.

"Like, hourly? How much do you charge?" He whispered.

"What the fuck are you talkin' about? You think I'm a fuckin' trick?" She barked. The kid straightened up, wincing at her voice. "How fuckin' old are you?"

"Seventeen." He groaned.

"So not only do you think I'm a whore, you think I'm a pedophile? You're lucky I don't call your fuckin' parents!" Nicky pointed her finger in his face.

"Yeah?" The kid puffed out his chest. "Well…You…You're lucky I don't call the cops!"

"For fucking what?" She yelled back. "Matter of fact give me your fucking wallet."

"What?" He whimpered.

"You heard me, shitbird. Gimme your wallet."

The kid feverishly sunk his hand into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He stuck it out towards her. Nicky snatched it away, looking at the designs that covered it.

"What the fuck is this?"

"It's Naruto." He looked down at his feet. Nicky pulled all the cash out of it and stuffed it into her jacket pocket. She took his school ID and studied it.

"Jeremy Schmidt of Martin Luther King High School. See? Now I know your name and where you go to school. You tell anybody about this and I'm coming for your prepubescent ass." A black Branco screeched into the parking lot with a German Shepherd hanging out of the passenger seat window, yapping away.

"See that? That's my pimp. Now he's gonna know your name too. Get the fuck outta here." Nicky flung the wallet towards the other side of the parking lot. The kid took off after it before running off down the sidewalk towards the bus stop.

She turned to face the driver of the Bronco as he parked next to her rental car. He rolled down the window and released a billowing cloud of smoke.

"Did you just rob Jeremy?" The border agent asked.

"Yeah, you know him?"

"He's an alright kid. He doesn't charge me whenever I get a Redbull. He's a soundcloud rapper actually. He's dog shit at it, but he's not a bad kid." The agent shrugged.

"Well that scrawny disphit thought I was a lady of the night just now so I don't feel too bad about it. Where the hell have you been?"

The agent climbed out of the car, the dog following behind.

"The guys wanted to grab a few drinks after work." He shrugged. "Then the pup got hungry so I stopped and got him some fries."

"Well I've got a drug kingpin threatening to rip all my teeth out while I listen to the soundtrack of the film known as all my loved ones being tortured to death, but hey, as long as the doggy gets his Happy Meal, that's all that matters, right?" She scoffed. The dog jumped up, licking at her hands.

"Relax. Got the stuff?" He opened the back door to the Branco. Nicky retrieved the black duffel bag from under her seat and tossed it to him. He quickly set it on the back floor boards and closed the door before letting out a sharp whistle. The dog followed his command and jumped back to its place in the passenger seat.

"See ya next time." He waved.

"Fuck no you will not. I'm not doing this shit again." She shook her head.

"Yeah, I said that shit too." The man chuckled. "And here we are, six years and a federal job later."

"Six years?" Nicky asked with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Once he gets you…" He sighed. "He has you. He has you until he's decided he's done with you."

"When is he done with you?" She asked earnestly. He took a deep breath and looked away into the darkness of the night, thinking.

"Not until I catch a life sentence or someone puts a bullet in my brain." He answered. Nicky looked down at her feet and tried to steady her breathing.

"It gets easier. The fear starts to go away after the fifth or sixth time you do it. Once you realize you've got no other options, you learn to accept it." The man climbed inside his car and shut the door behind him, looking at her through the open window.

"Good luck out there."

And with that he peeled away, leaving Nicky standing in the parking lot, listening to the buzzing of the flies.

Piper and Larry's apartment was alive with the sounds of bustling party goers and dull melodies from the stereo in the hall. Piper sat in the living room next to a very noticeably cranky Polly. She was currently nursing a can of IPA and watching as all of Larry's lawyer friends mingled in their small cliques spread sporadically throughout the apartment.

"These guys all look like fucking nerds." Polly sneered.

"Those pregnancy hormones aren't changing you at all, Pol." Piper chuckled, raising her can to her lips.

"No, even if I didn't have a basketball sized parasite demon sitting on my lower vertebrae I would still tell you not a single one of the men in this room could confidently explain to me where a woman's clitoris is located."

"I don't know, Nick might be able to." Piper shrugged, motioning towards a husky sized man with Dahmer-esque style aviators sitting on the very tip of his nose.

"Nah. He'd tell me the female orgasm is a myth." She shook her head.

"What about uh…" Piper scanned the room, looking for her next target. "Rob over there?"

Polly looked him over for a moment, studying his bleach washed jeans and Grateful Dead hoodie.

"Nope. He'd tell me periods are gross and then try to mansplain the Joe Rogan Experience to me."

"Do you think any of these guys have their red wings?" She asked.

"Red wings?" Polly squinted.

"Like, have they ever gone down on a woman during her monthly cycle?" Piper explained.

"Oh, never." Polly scoffed. "Pete doesn't even have his red wings."

"Yeah, neither does Larry."

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Piper hopped up and rushed to the door. She swung it open to greet Alex, Nicky, and Lorna. Nicky was holding a case of beer, Lorna had a pie, and Alex held a bottle of red wine with a large white ribbon tied around the neck. Piper took the bottle from Alex and welcomed them in, leading them through the apartment towards the kitchen. Lorna set the pie on the island while Nicky wasted no time cracking open a bottle of beer.

"Sorry for being a little late." Lorna apologized.

"Yeah, we pregamed a little." Nicky winked.

"Hope we didn't miss any fun." Alex nudged Piper.

"You're all good, no worries. It's been pretty tame actually. A bunch of lawyers and a pregnant lady is about the extent of the excitement." Piper shrugged.

"Wow Vause, how'd you manage to knock Piper up so quick, huh?" Nicky teased.

"Knock it off, Nick." Alex flicked her ear. Nicky swatted at her playfully before following Lorna into the living room to mingle. Alex and Piper stood in silence for a moment before turning to face each other.

"Hi." Piper said sheepishly.

"Hey." Alex smiled. Somehow they still managed to have an awkward almost teenage energy between them every time they saw each other.

"You look great." Piper commented.

"Really? I wasn't really sure what the dress code was."

"No." Piper shook her head. "You look beautiful."

"I think you do too." Alex replied shyly.

The kitchen door swung open, revealing Polly.

"Hey Polly." Alex smiled.

"Don't." Polly held up her finger. The tall brunette was surprised but took her attack with grace, rolling her eyes.

"What's up?" Piper sighed, trying to diffuse the situation.

"I just wanted to let you know Larry's parents just got here. So take that and do what you will with it."

Piper groaned and put her head in her hands.

"He told me he wasn't going to invite them."

Right on cue, Larry's mother and father entered the room. Larry's mother announced herself with a loud gasp and wrapped Polly in her arms.

"Oh, Polly!" She squealed. "You look like you could just pop any day now, honey."

"I really could. He's due in a week. So you never know!" Polly smiled.

"Piper." Larry's mother smiled.

"Hey Susan." Piper said sweetly, wrapping her in a hug.

"Hi Howard." She hugged Larry's father. He always reminded her of the scent of old books.

"And who's this?" Susan motioned towards Alex. The tall woman stuck her hand out, the way she'd trained herself to do since she was fifteen years old. "Alex Vause." She introduced herself.

"Alex Vause?" Howard chuckled. "The Alex Vause?"

Alex's face changed as she looked over his face. She had that feeling of remembrance. She just couldn't quite place him.

"Do you remember me? Yeesh, you must have been maybe sixteen when we met." He crossed his arms over his chest. Alex's eyes widened when she realized it.

" ?" She scoffed.

"My you've changed." He shook his head. "I hope you've changed more than just growing three feet taller." He commented.

"Yeah." Alex shook her head. "I've matured quite a bit since you last saw me."

Polly and Piper looked over them in confusion.

"What's happening?" Polly whispered.

"Tell you later." Piper answered.

"Howard, Susan," Piper cleared her throat. "Larry's friend Johnathan is here and he was wondering if he'd see you two tonight."

"Oh, okay. I was hoping to find Larry first." Susan looked around in confusion.

"I'll go grab him for you." Piper smiled before fleeing the kitchen.

She weaved her way through the crowded living room to the backyard where she found Larry laughing with a couple of men she didn't quite recognize, or care to meet.

Piper grabbed him by the wrist and excused him from his drunk buddies before pulling him aside.

"Hey babe, what's going on?" He smiled.

"What's going on?" Piper asked angrily. "You invited your parents to the same party you invited my boss to?"

"Yeah? What's wrong with that?" Larry asked innocently.

"Did you not take a moment to think about that time your dad was the defense attorney for her mother when Alex stole jewelry out of the safe?" Piper pressed. "You didn't think that would be just a little fucking awkward for me?"

Larry's face fell.

"Shiiiiit." He groaned. "Babe, I'm so-"

"Are you fucking serious Larry? Is this part of your big maniacal plan to get me to stop working? Because it feels like you're trying to get me fired. I specifically told you I didn't want them here."

"Piper, I didn't-"

"Larry!" Susan cooed as she approached the couple. Larry instantly changed his expression and greeted his mother, wrapping her in a hug.

"Hey mom." He said excitedly. "Where's dad?" He asked.

"Oh, he's in there talking to that Vause girl." She waved her hand. "You know, she really turned out to be quite a good looking woman. She was a bit of an ugly duckling back when Howard went through all that hullabaloo with her mother."

Piper gave her a fake smile before returning back inside to find Alex in the kitchen, speaking with Howard. The two seemed calm, chatting back and forth.

"Hey Howard?" Piper said kindly. "Larry's looking for you."

"Well I guess I better go see about him then." He sighed. "Alex, it is so nice to see you." He turned to leave before glancing at Alex one more time. "I just want to say this." He held his hand up. "Seeing you go from that sixteen year old girl I met all those years ago, to this confident woman I see before me now, I just have to tell you, Alex, I am proud of you. Your mother would be too. I'll see you." He nodded to her before exiting to find his son.

Piper neared Alex, setting her hand in her's.

"Al, I am so sorry. Larry said he wasn't going to invite them."

"Don't worry about it, Pipes, really." She smiled. "Howard's a good guy. That was just… a fuckin' blast from the past."

"Did he say anything rude?" The blonde huffed. "He can be a bit of an ass sometimes."

"No," Alex shrugged. "He just asked me how things have been going for me since Mom passed away. He asked me if I've kept my nose clean. Wait…" Alex looked at her. "How'd you know I knew Howard?" She asked. Piper scrambled to find the words.

"He just told me he knew your mother and that…he hadn't heard the greatest things about you back then." She lied.

Alex smirked.

"Yeah, when I met him I was still a bratty teenage dick." She cracked open a beer and took a long drink from it.

"What kind of work did he do with your mom?" Piper pushed. She already knew the truth. She just wanted to know if Alex would be honest with her. She always knew the answers to her own questions. Each one was a test. A small little test run to see just exactly what Alex wanted her to know and what she wanted to keep her in the dark about.

"Do you want me to be honest with you?" Alex laughed.

"Yeah." Piper shrugged her shoulders. "Always."

"My mom was getting back into her addiction with painkillers. She'd spent all the extra cash we had on Oxy's and so she stole a diamond necklace out of the funeral home safe. The necklace belonged to somebody we'd cremated like two years prior and the family never claimed her ashes so she thought nobody would find out. Next thing you know, two weeks later and the family comes to pick up the urn and their precious family heirloom jewelry. My mom fucked up." She sighed. "They chose to sue and my mom asked me to take the fall for her because I was still a minor. I did a month in juvenile detention and my mom had to pay the family twenty grand in civil court."

"What happened after that?" Piper asked.

"I got out, we almost lost the funeral home, and my mom got sober for the sixteenth time. It wasn't long after that I chose to be done working for her. What kind of mother lets her daughter take the fall for her fuck up like that, you know? And Howard didn't make her pay any lawyer fees because he thought she was just this innocent woman dealing with a thug for a child."

Alex's grip on Piper's hand tightened as she spoke. Piper rubbed her thumb over the back of her hand, feeling the coldness of her touch. She looked over the small blue veins under her pale skin, trailing them up her arm to her rose tattoo on her bicep. She used her other hand to trace the outline of it, running her pointer finger over the pink petals.

"There's a lot of shit about that woman in my memories that makes me miss her so fucking bad. Then there's a lot that just pisses me off to the point I feel like I could drive my head through a brick wall." The brunette laughed, looking away from the blonde. Piper moved her hand from her tattoo to the side of her face, turning her head to her.

"Thank you." Piper smiled.

"For what, weirdo?" Alex laughed.

"Always being honest. You never lie to me."

"No more lies." Alex set her other hand on the blonde's against her face. "That's the new motto, huh?"

The two stared into each other's eyes for a moment. They exchanged a smile and for a brief moment it seemed as if they were going to kiss. At least that's what it looked like to Larry as he opened the kitchen door. The sudden surprise of his presence broke the two apart in a startled dance. Piper nearly jumped three feet back, turning to see him.

"Babe." Piper smiled.

"Hey." Larry gave a shy wave. Piper took her time studying his face, searching for any clue of anger or surprise in his eyes. She spotted nothing out of the ordinary. He had his usual, doe eyed, pursed lip, puppy dog style expression.

"Hi Alex." He smiled.

"Hey Larry." Alex said, her husky tone echoing through the seemingly silent kitchen.

"What's up? Everything good?" Piper asked in a seemingly annoyed tone, reminding him she was still angry about the sudden appearance of his supposedly not invited parents.

"Everything's great." He nodded. "I actually have a surprise for you, if you wanna follow me out to the backyard."

"A surprise?" Piper asked suspiciously. Polly entered the room with an exasperated look on her face.

"Larry, not quite yet." She waved her hand. "You go handle it, I'll distract her."

"Okay." Larry gave Piper a quick kiss on the cheek. "Give me five minutes!" He demanded excitedly before fleeing. Polly looked at the two women.

"Everything's fine but I've got some things I need to say." Polly said quietly, watching Larry turn the corner towards the living room. She looked at Alex, crossing her arms across her bulging belly.

"First of all, why the fuck are you here?" She asked angrily.

"Polly-" Piper interjected, only to be met with a finger shushing her.

"Uh…" Alex chuckled. "Because I was invited." She opened another beer, not giving Polly a second glance.

"By who?" Polly pushed.

"The groom, actually." The tall woman said slyly.

"Yeah. The groom who doesn't know you're fucking his fiance." She hissed. Piper hid her face in shame, trying her best to shrink down as small as possible. She hoped maybe if she squeezed herself tight enough she'd spontaneously combust and burn fast enough to avoid this confrontation.

"Have you personally seen my tongue in her pussy or are you making assumptions?" Alex didn't seem phased.

"I don't have to see anything. Piper told me everything." Polly motioned to the embarrassed woman next to her. "It's my job as her friend and as Larry's friend to tell you to back the fuck off!" Polly neared Alex, standing only a foot in front of her. Alex stood up straight, towering over her. She crossed her arms and looked down at Piper's friend, not flinching.

"Piper's a grown woman." Alex's voice took on a more serious tone. "If she enjoys fucking me more than that mama's boy out there, sorry, I can't help you."

The door swung open, revealing Nicky and Lorna.

"Hey-" Nicky said excitedly before pausing to stare at the three women. Alex and Polly stood unwavering, not breaking their death stare.

"Vause? What's up?" Nicky asked seriously.

"We're good, guys, just-" Piper said sheepishly before Alex butted in.

"What do you think Nick? Is Piper a big girl? You think she can decide who she wants to fuck, right?"

Nicky looked at Piper then back to Polly and Alex. She and Lorna stepped further in the room, letting the door close behind them.

"Yeah, Piper's a grown woman." Nicky joined Alex's side. "Lorn?"

"Yeah, I mean," Lorna shrugged. "If she wants to fuck Vause, who's gonna stop her?" She neared the three, looking at Polly.

"Are you gonna do it?" Lorna smiled condescendingly. Polly broke her gaze with Alex to look at the two women who'd decided to join them.

"I don't think you'll get very far with that big ole belly of yours, actually." Lorna teased. "You guys know pregnant women can still have miscarriages all the way up to a week before delivery? I didn't know that." Lorna looked at Nicky.

"As long as they don't do anything completely fucking stupid, they should be fine, right?" Nicky asked.

"Oh, yeah." Lorna nodded. "As long as they don't forget their place, they're all good." She looked at Piper. "Piper?"

Piper rose her head, tears welling in her eyes.

"You like fucking Vause or is your heavily pregnant friend here just sadly mistaken?"

The blonde nodded.

"Speak up, Pipes." Nicky said.

"I…" Piper swallowed. "I like being with Alex. It's just complicated. I'm-"

"There's your answer." Lorna set her hand on Polly's shoulder. "Piper likes fucking Alex. You like having all your bones intact. And we all like this wonderful shindig they've got going."

"Do you have anything else you wanna get off your chest, Polly?" Alex asked.

Polly shoved Lorna's hand off her shoulder.

"I'm not gonna make a scene here tonight because I actually give a fuck about Larry." Polly pointed to Piper. "And somehow, I still give a fuck about that complete fucking idiot standing right there. After tonight, I don't ever wanna see your face again. Say your goodbyes and let her get back to her life." Polly turned to the blonde and grabbed her wrist.

"Get your shit together, he's waiting outside." She demanded, dragging Piper out of the kitchen, leaving the three friends standing in the kitchen.

"Polly I'm-" Piper started.

"Please." Polly stopped in the hallway. "Piper, I love you. You have been my best friend for years now." Her voice quaked. "But right now, you are not a good person. Those people in there are not good people."

Piper looked at her friend with tears in her eyes, her lip quivering.

"I'm gonna stay for the surprise, for Larry, but if you choose to keep someone like that in your life, after tonight, I'm sorry, but I can't continue to be your friend."

"She's…She wouldn't-" Piper stammered.

"Come on. He's waiting."

Polly ushered Piper towards the back door, leading her into the backyard.

Piper was met with the sight of Larry standing in the center of the yard, wearing a black t-shirt with the front of a tuxedo printed on it. All of the partygoers were surrounding him in a circle with battery operated tea lights in their hands. She spotted her parents in the crowd along with her brother, Cal. He smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

Behind Larry was a large monitor showing a slideshow of photos containing memories she and Larry had shared throughout the years. Their trip to the Bahamas, the night they first met, the two of them at Polly and Pete's wedding. Larry was holding a microphone in his hand, connected to a nearby speaker.

"Piper." He started. She recognized the tinge in his voice he always got when he was on the verge of bursting into tears. "You are the love of my life. I knew from the moment I met you, when you came barging into Polly and Pete's apartment covered in twigs and dirt because you'd been running from a stray dog outside." His statement made the crowd laugh. "I knew right then and there, you were the most interesting person I had ever met. I knew you were the most intriguing, beautiful, intelligent, funny woman I would ever meet. From spontaneous trips to Jersey for some underground punk concert, to late night swims in the ocean, to… working for a funeral home." Another laugh from the crowd. "You have brought fun and nothing but good memories to my life. You took a boring, nerdy, confused Jew boy and turned him into a person who's no longer afraid to let go of the reins and learn how to just love life for everything it may bring. Life has brought me so many amazing opportunities and experiences. But, by far, the best thing it has ever given me was you at my side." Larry paused and took a deep breath, steadying himself. He turned to the crowd. "Some of you already know but to those of you who don't, Piper and I have decided to take the more spontaneous and certainly cheaper route of eloping rather than having a great big extravagant wedding like we'd originally planned. What many of you may not know is that Piper's favorite part of a wedding is the first dance." Larry turned to face Piper again. "Because we won't be having a wedding, Piper would miss out on the one thing she would have really loved about a tradition. So, tonight, I want to give her just that."

He extended his hand.

"Piper Elizabeth Chapman," He smiled. "Even if we aren't married yet, I'd like to ask you now, will you please join me in our first dance as Mister and Missus Larry and Piper Bloom?"

The crowd erupted in a roar of applause. Polly let go of Piper's hand and motioned her forward. Piper sniffled, happy that she could blame her tears on the sentiment of the occasion. She walked slowly, avoiding the onlooking eyes of the party guests. Once she reached the end, Larry took her hand in his and pulled her into him. She could feel his heart beating like a hummingbird in his chest.

"I know you're angry about me inviting my parents." He whispered. "But I wanted them to be here for this. And yours too."

"It's perfect." Piper smiled, blinking away her tears.

"I've gotta let you know just how hard it was to sneak Cal in here. I think he's about three edibles deep." He joked. Piper laughed and leaned her head on his chest as a song began to flow out of the speakers. They began to sway, the artificial flames of the tealights blurring in Piper's vision as her tears continued to flow. The music filled the air, drowning out the sound of Larry's rapid heartbeat.

Baby

Baby, yeah

Are you listening?

Wondering where you've been all my life

I've just started livin'

Ooh-oh, baby

Are you listening? Ah

When you say you love me

No, I love you more

Piper held onto him tightly, looking over the faces of partygoers as they danced. She caught sight of Larry's mother crying and holding onto her husband's arm as she dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a tissue. She met her mother's gaze. She mouthed the words, "I love you" and pressed her hand over her heart.

And when you say you need me

No, I need you more

Boy, I adore you

I adore you

Baby, when you hear me

When I'm crying now for you

I'm scared, oh

So scared

Oh, when you're near me

I feel like I'm standing with an army of men

Armed with weapon

Yeah, oh

When you say you love me

No, I love you more

And when you say you need me

No, I need you more

Boy, I adore you

They circled slowly, Larry's hand holding her waist as they rocked. She could feel the wetness of his own tears against her cheek. They did one more half circle. Piper locked eyes with Alex who stood in the back door of the apartment, watching. She leaned against the doorframe, never losing her hold of Piper's gaze. She wasn't sure if it was the lighting, or the energy of the moment they were caught in but she was almost convinced she saw a tear escape the eye of the tall, dark, beautiful woman who stood off in the distance.

I adore you

I love lying next to you

I could do this for eternity

You and me

We're meant to be in holy matrimony

God knew exactly what he was doing

When he led me to you

When you say you love me

No, I love you more (I love you more)

And when you say you need me

No, I need you more

Boy, I adore you

I adore you

It was then that Piper wished so deeply, so passionately, and with such a burning desire, that it was Alex Vause holding her in her arms.

When you say you love me

No, I love you more

And when you say you need me

No, I need you more

Boy, I adore you

The blonde was no longer just considering that her lover standing so near, yet so far, was crying. She was certain of it. And she was certain she wasn't alone in her wish. She was positive the brunette wanted nothing more than to be the one holding her too. She watched as the ethereal beauty that was Alex Vause disappeared into the mass of the crowd.

I adore you…