For the first time in five days, Alex and Piper do not sleep in the same bed, but their individual ones, with Cal on the couch. A few minutes before Bradley is due to arrive, Alex takes a glass of water and some pain killers into Piper's room. Piper is softly moaning and Alex is at first concerned. As she makes her way forwards the moans get louder and she hears her name slip from the blonde's mouth. Alex studies Piper's movements closely. 'Is she having a sex dream about me? Her moans keep getting louder. Her back seems to be arching up. I should get out of here I don't need to be caught watching her.'
As Alex is leaving the room Piper calls out "Right there. Right there baby. Don't stop. Don't you dare stop Alex. I need you to push me over the edge." Alex's jaw drops. 'Damn this is the sexiest thing ever. I hope it's not the lingering alcohol causing this.' She quickly leaves the room.
"Hey Cal! Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet Alex. I'll grab something or the way home."
"You sure? I'm about to make coffee, scrambled eggs, toast, and maybe bacon if we have any."
"Thanks. But I really do need to get home as soon as possible. Have some stuff going on this afternoon that I can't be late for. I've already called my detail. They should be here any minute."
Alex no sooner starts the coffee before there's a knock at the door. She opens it and doesn't recognize who it is. "Hey Cal. I think this might be for you."
"Your right Alex." He gives her a hug. Then whispers "Take good care of my sister!"
She nods her head and he leaves. The door has barely closed when there's another knock. This time Bradley.
"Hey thanks for being a few minutes early. I'm making coffee. It should be done soon. I'll grab my phone and check in with Donovan."
Bradley sits quietly until Alex returns. "Okay Donovan and his team are headed this way. Feel free to open the door when he knocks. I'm gonna scramble some eggs and make toast. Would you like any Bradley?"
"No Alex. I've already eaten. But thank you for the offer."
"You can turn on the tv, just keep it low Piper's still in bed." He nods his head.
Alex makes a scrambled egg sandwich for herself. Putting the rest of the eggs and toast in the microwave for Piper when she gets up. Donovan arrives and lays out the details. It's decided that Bradley and Ben and some other guy will monitor the perimeter and hallways while Alex stays inside with Piper and getting frequent text updates from the guys. They leave and Alex takes a quick shower before checking on Piper. 'The pills are still there. Her eyes aren't open but she keeps covering them. I need to make sure the room is as dark as possible.' After managing the task she starts to leave but hears a moan from Piper. This one clearly unpleasant.
"Hey Pipes. How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been run over by a truck." Alex frowns at her then sits on the bed near her head.
"If you can prop yourself up for just a minute, I've got you painkillers and water."
"Thanks. Can I not open my eyes and still do this?" Alex chuckles softly.
"Sure Pipes. I'll help you. Open your mouth." She places a tablet inside. "Here's a bit of water to help you swallow," as she pours the liquid into her mouth. "Swallow for me. Good. Now let's repeat that one more time." Afterwards Alex helps lower Piper back onto the mattress.
"Thank you Al." Piper half smiles while scrunching her eyebrows because of the hangover.
"If there's nothing on your schedule today, I'm gonna let you go back to sleep. Let me know if you need anything. And once food sounds good. I'll reheat the breakfast I made earlier or get to something entirely different." Alex kisses Piper's forehead then walks out and closes the door. 'My poor baby's hurting. I need to think up a kind gesture for after that nasty hangover is out of her system.'
Alex keeps up with all text updates from the guys. She's also unpacking her part of the office and peaking in on Piper from time, keeping in mind when she can offer up more painkillers. She even manages to unpack hers and Piper's books onto the massive bookshelf.
Donovan and the other guy return. So Alex grabs her forms and goes outside for the transfer process. They finish up fairly quickly. Bradley stays for a quick run through of the equipment list and all the new toys. Alex excuses herself to go check on Pipes. She's barely through the door before Piper is halfway across the room and advancing quickly. She wraps Alex up in a big hug and thanks her countless times for taking care of her.
"You don't have to thank me Pipes. I just wish there was something I could have done to make the pain so away faster. I don't like seeing you hurting, even if it's just a stupid hangover."
Piper smiles and kisses her on the cheek. "So my stomach started growling. You were saying something about food earlier?"
"Well I made myself a scrambled egg sandwich earlier. But you probably want something more substantial by now."
"Yeah" Piper smiles. She heads to the kitchen to see what sounds good. Deciding to turn the toasts Alex made into grilled cheese and pair it with a tomato soup. "Do you want anything Al?"
"No thank you. I'm not hungry yet." Alex smiles at her. "I'm gonna go back downstairs and check out the teams all new equipment. You should of seen Bradley's eyes light up. He looked like a kid in a candy store. Text me if you need anything okay."
"Thanks Alex. Once this is done. I plan to veg in front of the tv for awhile."
"I'll join you soon."
The food makes Piper feel better. She finds her mind drifting to Alex. 'I remember having fun dancing with Alex. She was pulling back. Why? Was I coming on too strong? Does she not want me like that? We've been increasing the flirting with each other. Have I read her wrong? Is the way I feel one-sided. I hope not. I want her. I need her. She feels more and more like the part that makes my puzzle complete. I can't loose her, not in any part of my life.'
Alex returns and notices something is wrong with Piper. She's all spaced out. Her breathing is uneven and she looks like she's going to break down. Alex slowly sits down beside her and pulls Piper into her arms. Piper clings tightly but doesn't say a word.
"Pipes. Look at me please. What's wrong kid? How can I help?"
Piper slowly turns her head towards Alex. She's on the verge of tears but manages to softly say "hold me."
Alex holds her until her breathing has finally even out and calmed. She pulls back slightly. "Pipes what's made you so upset?"
"I- I," she shakes her head and whispers "I don't know how you feel."
"How I feel about what Piper? Help me out here. I can't answer you if I don't understand the question your trying to get answers for." She softly runs her hands through Piper's soft blonde hair.
"You pulled away from me last night." Piper lowers her head but continues. "Now I'm confused. I thought we were feeling the same things, but now... I don't know anything."
Alex can feel her heart breaking for Piper. 'Does she feel not good enough because I pulled away? Doesn't she know she's far too good for me, or anyone else for that matter? I can't let her think that. Not for a moment longer. I hope this doesn't backfire on me.'
"Pipes. I pulled back because you had a lot of alcohol in your system. And I didn't want you making any kind of decisions while you were under the influence."
Piper looked at her trying hard to hold back the tears. Alex caught the look and pulled Piper closer kissing her on the cheek and softly caressing with her fingertips. "Pipes, what does this make you feel?"
"Warm. Calm. Cared for."
"Good. And do you know how much I care about you?"
Alex turns Piper's chin with her fingers. Locking eyes, both of them staring and not moving. "Pipes are you asking if I like you as a boss? A roommate? A person? Or if your attractive? Or if I'm attracted to you? Or if I want to be with you? You see how the questions are limitless. So I need you to clarify, so that I can answer the question you are truly asking me."
Piper blushes. Then finds the courage to lay her cards on the table. "Alex I like you. Every part of you. You make me feel unlike anyone else I've ever known. I love our conversations. I love the way you look at me. The way you can calm me so easily. The way you look. How fabulous it feels to cuddle up next to you or wake up to find our bodies entwined. I want and need you so desperately Alex. I want to be with you as often as possible and in every way imaginable. I want you Alex." Piper looks down at her hands.
"Oh Pipes. I have never felt about a girl the way that I feel about you. I've always been a one and done type, or maybe a bit longer with fuck buddies. Never have I truly wanted to know all about a girl. Never have I snuggled, much less enjoyed it. Never have I had such depth of emotion. Never have I felt so connected to anyone, it even bypasses my love for my Mom, my true best friend; despite Nicki having the title. Never have I had to try so hard to restrain myself, because I was afraid of the consequences if I let go and pursued the one woman I want so desperately." She looks at Piper until their eyes finally lock. "Does that answer all your questions Pipes?"
"So you are attracted to me and want to be with me?," Piper quietly asks.
"Yes Pipes. I'm incredibly attracted to you and want you more than anything." Alex pauses, "You're far too good for me, but I would do anything to protect you, show you your worth when you fail to see it, love you for who you truly are not what people think you are of want you to be. And absolutely blow your mind in the bedroom. I'll treasure your beautiful body and do anything to make sure you are completely satisfied."
Piper lets out a moan at the description. Alex leans forward and brushes the hair away from her eyes. Then slides her finger down Piper's face, so soft and subtle as she slowly and deliberately strokes her cheek. Alex moves her hand but not her body. So close as they gaze into each others eyes. Staring and smiling for what feels like an eternity. Alex leans in even more and whisper in Piper's ear. "I want you."
Piper moans at the deep raspy tone. 'She's so sexy, Alex's voice electrifies every ounce of my being.' Piper closes her eyes and breathes deep, her body reacting to Alex's every word. Alex's finger traces down her neck just as slowly and deliberately as before, down the length of Piper's neck to her shoulder blade, then brushes downward barely touching her breast. Down her stomach and finally resting on Piper's leg. Alex's hand is rubbing slowly but repeatedly on her jeans. Piper's breathing slows to match the rhythm of Alex's circular motions. Piper softly moans again. 'Why does it feel like I'm melting inside?'
Alex moves her face but keeps her hand. The other hand caresses Piper's face, both lost in each others eyes. The deep beautiful blue and emerald green both completely entranced. 'Alex moves her full lips ever closer to mine. The anticipation is killing me but I know that whatever she does, or however she delays, will only make the kiss that much sweeter. Make me want her even more.'
Piper puts her arms around Alex and closes her eyes. 'I can sense her almost touching me, such an intense feeling. The smell of her body, the gentle breeze of her breath upon my skin, the warmth of Alex's body close to mine, the sound of our hearts beating ever faster; it's almost too much. After what feels like minutes of her moving mere millimeters towards me, Alex's soft full lips finally meet mine. The only way to describe it is amazing. Pure perfection. I've never felt so wanted.'
Alex gives her the most exquisite kiss she's ever known. Piper is grinning ear to ear. She whispers in Alex's ear. "You want to add another title to you list and be my girlfriend."
Alex has a genuine smile on her face. "Yes Pipes. I would love to be your girlfriend." The two spend the rest of the night making out, but don't take things any farther.