Piper told Bill all about it and then let with Bradley when he arrived. "Sir, I've run a lot of unlikely threat scenarios with my team. One I keep coming back to has been in the back of my mind since you gave me the allergy paperwork. I noticed a couple of rare ones and talked to a Professor at Smith further about them. There was one in particular that would little to no effect on most people. Sort of Piper visiting the far east or a chinese grocery store, it would be highly unlikely of her coming across it. I had a feeling that Polly would try to get some sort of revenge on Piper, but thus far we've only seen her twice and no where near Piper.
Anyways I've gotten info from Colton and Chase today that Polly was in the kitchen for half and hour today, before and after your wife. Colton notice that some the trays had a thin film over them. He checked with the cook, who said nothing she's serving should look like that. He had a few bagged up as samples. Though we don't have the materials on hand for testing to confirm or deny My suspicion. I made sure Piper got a fresh batch of food and a drink directly from the cook. I don't know that there is definitely something wrong with the food or if any of the powdery substance was left anywhere else. Nor am I certain that Polly is behind it. But it looks and feels suspicious to me."
"I'll pull a couple of people off Cal's detail to thoroughly check if there's any powder of film on anything in the house or backyard. Good work Alex. True or not, I'd rather be overly cautious."
"I agree sir. I don't think Piper has come across anything, but you can never be to sure. My team knows what to look for, but an allergic reaction needs immediate action. I carry an epi pen for that reason. If you have or can get any today it couldn't hurt."
"Get back to Piper and let me know if there are any further developments."
"Of course Bill."
Alex gives a quick mention to her team about what might be going on. With special orders for Bradley not to leave Piper's side until she returns. They go to a side area near the stage. Piper is trying to memorize the talking point her Mother insists are necessary for when the family speaks. Just as Alex is approaching she sees Polly grab Piper's arm and try to drag her away.
"Alex" Piper screams while trying to force her weight into her feet so she is at least dragged slower.
"Polly what the hell do you think your doing. Release Piper immediately or I'm about to become your worst nightmare." Alex is almost close enough to grab Piper out of Polly's grasp. She glares at Bradley. He quickly moves behind her and open his coms to call for Colton.
Polly gives Alex a look of death. "I'll damn well talk to Piper if I want to."
"Piper do you want anything to do with this woman?"
"No Alex. I still have no desire to talk to anyone as cruel and vapid as she is."
Alex manages to side kick Polly's legs so she stumbles forward. Releasing Piper so that she won't fall flat on her face. Alex pulls Piper behind her and asks if she's okay. Bradley and Colton grab Polly off the hand and put her hands behind her back and restrain her with lined handcuffs that don't bite into the skin.
"Guys find out from Bill's team where there's a holding area and I want at least two security people watching her. She is forbidden to leave the property at this time."
"You can't do that you tall freak."
"Actually I can and Bill will back me up in my actions as will Piper."
Alex turns to Piper and pulls her closer. "Are you okay Pipes?"
"I'm just shaken. I was so scared until I saw you. Please don't leave my side even for a minute for the rest of the day."
"Okay, I promise. I need to have a few more conversations with the team and your Dad, but I'll stay within touching distance."
"Team, please have anyone available continue substance checks. Chase or Bradley please get a hold of Bill's head guy and tell him the latest developments. Either of them are welcome to call me directly."
Alex gives her girl a hug and Piper cuddles into her. "Just hold me Al."
"Always my love," whispers Alex. A little later the Chapmans see Piper all cuddled into Alex. Carol and Piper's older brother Danny look at them completely appalled. Cal has no problem and is amused. Bill understands what this day has been like for his daughter and is pleased that Alex not only protects his daughter but how Piper seems to find calm and comfort while near Alex.
"Is it stage time sir?"
"Yes Alex and I want to by my daughter's side."
"Not a problem Bill."
Carol jumps in and starts objecting, ready to lay into Alex. Bill gives her a harsh look that says don't you dare say another word. Carol turns away. But Danny takes it upon himself to start on how inappropriate this whole thing is and how Alex should not be touching his sister.
"Shut the fuck up Danny. Your golden boy self don't know what the hell your talking about. For starters don't you ever insult Alex in my presence. Second your opinion doesn't matter to me. I see you twice a year and maybe half hour and added up on us speaking. Cal is close to me, he's sent time with Alex and I know exactly what he thinks. Next I chose my security team and Alex as the lead. She's also my roommate and my closest friend, she matters.
"That sounds right to me Danny. You will not antagonize your sister."
"Alex I apologize for my wife and my oldest son. They have no right to speak to you the way they have today."
"Thank you sir. They know nothing about me so I take their comments as uninformed bigotry."
"Now everyone get your head in the game. Remember why your here today and what all we plan to accomplish. Can everyone do that?"
"Yes Daddy" and a few "Yes Bill"'s later. Everyone is on stage with their lead security member behind them, except Danny, who is temporarily assigned one. Only Alex stands close to Piper, the rest are further back.
Well into the presentation Piper whispers to Alex that she's not feeling well. Alex immediately turns her around so she can check what's going on with her love. Piper's hands are shaking a little, her face is getting increasingly red and beginning to sweat. Alex notices that it seems to be harder for Piper to swallow.
Alex screams "I need a medic now." Piper starts to fall and Alex catches her slays her down then reaches in her pocket for the epi pen. She injects Piper right before her eyes roll back in her head and she looses consciousness.
"Piper stay with me. Squeeze my hand if you can hear me. Please Pipes. Listen to my voice. Hold on for me." Piper faintly squeezes Alex's hand. Alex keeps talking with tears streaming down her face. She lifts Pipers head onto her lap and moves her into Piper's favorite position, her head on Alex's chest with Alex rubbing up and down her back.
Everyone has been crowding around since Piper started to faint. Alex asks them to back off and give Piper some room. Bill is now screaming for an eta on an ambulance and making a million orders to all security details.
Alex whispers into Piper's ear "Please babe, your the love of my life. Keep listening to my voice and squeezing me so I know your still listening. You are the most intelligent, driven, caring, beautiful, sometimes downright sexy, woman I have ever met. We fit together so perfectly like we were made for each other. I need you Pipes. You are my everything."
Alex feels the first hard squeeze from Piper. She tries to get her love to open her eyes, but that seems like too much for Piper. Alex pulls her even further into the embrace and tells her she's doing so good and alternates kisses on her cheek and forehead, not giving a damn who sees or what they have to say about it.
The medical staff arrives and Alex tells them to do what they need to but she refuses to leave her side. They work around her. Making sure her airways are clear and that she's breathing correctly. They put her on a stretcher since they'll be able to do more thorough tests at the hospital. Alex jumps in the back on the ambulance and brushes her hair back while continuing to whisper to Piper.
When they arrived at the ER, Alex made a point of asking questions when the medical staff did something she didn't know the reason for. After half an hour of tests the head Dr. talked to Piper about the whole thing from the point Piper came in contact with the allergen till Alex stuck her with an epi pen. Turns out that even two minutes later and Piper would've been dead on in a coma. He then explained from when the ambulance arrived to the present. She thanked him how giving her such clear detail since she'll be asked about it repeatedly by the Chapmans.
"Alex we're gonna send her up to room instead of the icu since she's stable. She'll be hooked up to all the monitors so that we'll know quickly if her condition takes an unexpected negative dive. Nurses will be checking in on her in small shorter intervals than most their other patients. You can stay with her overnight if you like. During visiting hours, please tell her family that no more than three visitors are allowed at a time."
"Thank you Dr. I do intend to stay by her. Is there anything I should be aware of or concerned about?"
"Alex from what I heard, you were alert enough to notice her physical reactions earlier. Keep an eye out for those same things. But yell for a nurse instead of an epi pen this time. They'll know just what to inject into her iv. I'll go out and give a quick rundown to the family."
Alex carefully climbs into bed with Piper, letting her gorgeous blonde partially lay on her as she continues stroking her arm and whispering into her ear. Piper's parents enter the room. Alex explains that Piper is conscious and stale but in a deep sleep.
Carol starts shaking her head "Why the hell are you in the same bed as my daughter. Your nothing but a low life who doesn't know her place."
"Shut up Carol. Alex's quick thinking helped to save our daughter's life. We're you not listening. The Dr. said if she hadn't had that epi pen ready, our girl would be in a coma or dead. Don't you dare speak negatively about Alex. I'm sick of your attitude, you and Danny can leave now, neither of you will so much as speak to Alex unless she specifically okays it. Take note of that order Alex."
"Yes sir. And just to answer the question, I'm in Piper's hotel bed because she has told me countless times that she feels comfortable and safe with me. Rubbing her arm or back has a calming effect on her for whatever reason. And if she recognizes my touch as she's coming to, she'll feel safe instead of totally freaking out."
"Alex, that makes perfect sense to me. As I told you earlier, stay by her side. Ask one of your team members to come to the hospital later and survey near the room." Carol gives him a really dirty look then leaves the room.
"That was my plan Bill. Have you gotten any more info. or possible proof from the estate about what we were talking about yet?"
"No, not yet but we're doing a very thorough check of surfaces, trash cans, etc. And we're still holding Polly. I plan on personally grilling her, complete with a lie detector. If I find out she harmed my Princess there will be actions taken!"
"Check with Bradley and find out how Polly was able to get close enough to touch Piper. I stopped it from escalating, but haven't had the chance to find out why I came back from your office to Piper yelling for me."
Bill leaves and Cal pokes his head through. "Hey Alex, how is she?"
"She's stable but in a deep sleep. She hasn't come out of it yet, but they're monitoring her closely Cal."
"And how are you holding up?"
"It's been a really hard day, between Carol and Polly, I'm doing well in not laying a hand on either. But damn I wanted to. I can't stand to see Piper hurt or hurting. She said she didn't feel well and less than a minute she's falling and I'm trying to softly get her down and an epi pen into her. Trying to soothe her and talk to her amidst my tears. And I'm not a crier, only with my Mom and Piper have I ever shed a tear. Which reminds me, I need to call Diane."
"Who's Diane?"
"My wonderful mother. She loves Piper like crazy."
"What did my parents say when they saw this" Cal's motioning to Alex and Piper.
"Carol started going off and trashing me for the third time today. Bill shut her up quickly. I explained how Piper finds comfort in me and I want her to feel calm instead of freaking out when she comes to."
"Do you think they suspect anything more. Your Mom and brother definitely do not. It's hard for me to tell if Bill sees close friend and protector or suspects anything more. I try really hard to keep that part solely inside our apartment, though Piper pushes the limits a little from time to time. The night after the three of us went out Piper first admitted her feelings to me."
"So I got in on the very beginning. Very cool. Piper thinks the world of you."
"I feel exactly the same. We're good together in every way."
"Really? Piper didn't tell me that part."
"I'm sure she will at some point. I know she's only close with a few people. Me, Diane, you, Bill, Celeste. All the so called friends she had prior to this school year, she's pulled back on or flat out dropped most."
"I never liked Polly. And even I could tell that particular group of girls were fake and didn't truly care about my sister."
Alex nods. "I do know that me and Bill are both determined to find out who and how and why and how today happened. And I'm sure some sort of action will be taken." Alex sighs, "Hey Cal I don't forsee her waking tonight. Why don't you so get some rest and come back tomorrow." Oh and tell my security team that I don't have my coms, so they need to call the room. And to bring me and Piper's bags and phones when one of them comes up here, plus some coms."
"Will do Alex. Let me know if anything happens. Write down your number and I will."