"Babe," Nicky smiled bashfully at Sophie. "What d'you say about a little role play, eh?"

"Ooo, role play? How convenient. I always wanted to be an actress." The nurse said winking. "What kind of role play?" She sat down on Nicky's lap.

"I play the bad guy and you the damsel in distress and we will figure out the rest as we go." Nicky kissed her jaw. "This is something I need to do, honey. For my friend who came earlier."

"Okay." Sophie said batting her eyes. "I could do that for you. What do you need?"

"An injection if you would and you screaming as loud as possible."

"Ooh, screaming?" She kissed her. "I am quite natural at that."

Nobody could have anticipated what happened in the next half an hour.

Sophie had been tied to a wheelchair quite creatively, leaving her enough space to stand up awkwardly. She was screaming as Nicky pushed the wheelchair with one hand and held an empty injection to her neck. She wheeled her past the corridor into the lobby, thanking god that Red was out for lunch.

The hospital security came running as people scattered away from the duo. Sophie was screaming so loud that Nicky had to put her hand on her mouth after reaching the centre of the lobby.

"Quiet!" She shouted dramatically. "Be quiet!"

Doctors and patients emptied the place forming a distant circle around them, just what Nicky wanted. The guards where hesitant with their hands in front. But the game changed when appointed cops showed up blazing guns at her. They were there for the extra security in light of the events.

"Ma'm we need you to calm down!" One of them said in a booming voice.

Nicky's heart was hammering in her chest. It felt like a Bond movie, to be honest (except for the hospital gown she was wearing). God, she wished someone was recording her stellar performance.

"Calm down?!" She cried. "Fucking calm down! Now you listen to me. This injection is empty. But not empty. It has air in it. And d'you know what happens when a press this air into her veins? This fragile, innocent, caring nurse dies-"

"Nicky!" A thick Russian accent called from behind the crowd. "Nicky! What are you doing?!"

Not now, Ma. Nicky groaned internally.

"Exactly what I am supposed to do." Nicky shouted back. "You- you listen to me mall cop. I need you to contact the CIA and ask for Agent Poussey Washington and tell her that this is about they-know-who-"

"Okay, Ma'm," the cop started calmly. "You must be under a lot of stress considering recent events but we can't just call the CIA. I am not denying. Just saying, why don't we sit down?"

"Sit down, eh? I'll sit down when the CIA is here! And if something happens to this innocent nurse, it's on you buddy, it's on you!"

Nicky was sure that the media was out there by now. She was on her A-game. She was having a rush thinking how her mother will react to this. But Red coming to front and centre with angry eyes and infinite worry lines on her forehead, made her regret her actions a little bit.

"Nicky, my daughter," Red said in her ever so motherly voice. "Why are you doing this? Please - please," she turned to the cops still standing with their guns drawn out, "Officer, she was in an accident. She must have hit her head too hard-"

Nicky kicked Sophie under the chair and Sophie started screaming on cue.

"Help! Help! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die!"

The crowd around them broke into loud murmuring, evidently worried about the innocent nurse and the inability of the cops to handle the situation. The cops on seeing this straightened their backs and called for backup. Nicky could see the FBI people coming in the back.

"Nicky," Red started again. "Don't be stupid. Is this about Alex Vause-"

"Alex Vause?" The FBI agents came forward hurriedly. Nicky welcomed the change of events with open hands.

"Yes! Alex Vause," she said. "And Kubra Balik and Larry Bloom."

"How do you know about Bloom and Balik?" The agent asked in a deep voice.

"Oh I know a whole lot more than that." Nicky said smugly. "But, agent d'ya really wanna waste my time in obvious questions? Now that I have your kind attention- I have crucial information that I will only share with Agent Poussey Washington. Get her here. Tell them that I know where they-know-who is and this nurse lives, America becomes great again and we all go home happily. Get your ass to do some work, will ya?"

The agent nodded and took out his phone to talk to whoever he was supposed to. Red had her hands on her head as the cops told people to vacate the lobby. She had a miserable look in her eyes that Nicky recognised oh-so-quickly.

Great, she thought, she has disappointed Red now. But that's the price you pay for friendship and love.

She leaned down to Sophie's ear and whispered,

"You did great, honey. This will all be over soon." Sophie turned her head just enough to kiss Nicky on the lips.

—

What was the game-plan? Piper didn't know. Sure, there was a vague idea how she will get Alex out of it. But nothing detailed like most of her missions. She had no idea how she will get out. And that's what scared her. She would have to think of something that will give Alex a better chance even if she wasn't there by her side.

She left the hospital around seven. She acquired a jeep by showing her fake badge again. She went back to Nicky's place for the things she needed. Thanking god that Red was still in the hospital. After getting everything, she hoped that Nick wouldn't do anything stupid. Although she hoped that Nicky will share the tape in time to prove Alex's innocence.

She drove around the NYC traffic avoiding the police check posts. She was at the address about an hour earlier hoping to check out the place. But unfortunately, the guard was already up meaning that they were already there. Still, Piper didn't go in. She waited at a safe distance and observed their movements with a night vision binoculars.

Things were not looking good for them. There were too many guards in combat gear holding machine guns and what not. At least it was certain that Figueroa will be here looking at the amount of guards.

But more guards also meant it will be harder to escape. Piper sighed holding the envelope in her hand. She shoved it into the glove compartment. And taped her gun on its wall. She could take it when she comes to retrieve the envelope. She was sure that they will frisk the first time but not the second time. In twenty minutes she will drive into the warehouse with no plan of coming out alive.

—

Alex could only remember being shoved into a car before everything went black. They must have hit her in the head, that explains the throbbing pain she was feeling on the left side of her head. Now that she has been trying to open her eyes for the past ten minutes, she realised that there's actually a blindfold in front of her eyes. She stopped doing that and started focusing on her hands that were tied in front of her with ropes. Fucking ropes. Her legs were practically dead from kneeling for too long.

Her voice was scratchy when she tried to talk. And the helpless situation suddenly overwhelmed her. How are they going to get out of it? Not that she doubts Piper but there's only so much that one person can do. She let out a frustrated sigh and wished that Piper saves herself and never gets here.

Her ears were trained on the movement around her. There was silence a bit earlier and now people were scuffling hurriedly around her. It must be time.

"I want four in the front. Two at the main. Six inside." Piscatella said to his men, Alex recognised his monstrous voice. "And get that kid to the backdoor. I don't trust him in combat. I want a sniper up top on the left."

Alex soaked in the information and felt pride that this preparation was for the havoc that Piper might bring. She heard a car coming in and her senses went rogue. Unfortunately, it was just Figueroa. But what surprised her was Kubra Balik. Standing right behind him. He looked unsure. Like he didn't actually wanted to be here. Alex figured Figueroa must have given him so much shit due to his uselessness. She smiled to herself.

He knelt in front of her and clicked his tongue.

"You look a bit tired." He said and removed her blindfold. "Don't worry, I am sure your girlfriend will be here soon. If she loves you enough that is." He lifted her chin with the tip of his finger. "I know about your abandonment issues. How your daddy left your mommy for his career."

Alex spat in his face. He wiped it off with his gloved hand as Piscatella came rushing forward to-

The radio on Piscatella's shoulder came to life.

"She's in a jeep." Someone said through the radio.

"Stop the car where it is." Piscatella replied.

Figueroa stood up straight ignoring Alex. He was so close to what he needed. In the meantime, Alex surveyed her surroundings. They were right in the middle of a warehouse. She could see the extensive amount of men clad in black combat gear. She blinked a few times to get a clear view, irritated at the absence of her glasses. She could she a blurry figure approaching.

Piper.

They had stopped Piper's car at the entrance, letting her walk. From the distance Alex saw two men frisking her down and clearing her to go in. Alex knew Piper was looking right at her. If only she had her glasses.

Figueroa moves forward blocking her view. Kubra following suit.

"Piper Chapman, what a pain in the ass you have been. Perhaps I underestimated you. I didn't know you had it in you to show up like this."

"I could say the same about you. Given how much of a coward you have been lately." Piper said.

"Careful with your tongue, Chapman. Wouldn't want your girlfriend to get hurt." Kubra piped in.

Figueroa stepped forward telling Kubra to stay quiet.

"I don't want to drag this any further. Let's get to business. Where's the tape?"

"First I get to see her." Piper demanded.

"Piper do-" Kubra started only to get interrupted by Figueroa.

"Five. Five minutes." He said.

Piper brushed past him and knelt before Alex. Up close Alex could see the worry etched into Piper's features. She wanted to wipe them off.

"Hey," Alex smiled softly. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Piper said brushing her thumb along Alex's jawline.

Piper leaned in to kiss her. Alex hadn't realised how much she needed it. It was soft, gentle, reassuring and Piper still had her thumb across her cheek. It took her a few seconds to realise that Piper needed more. She opened the lips permitting entry and enjoyed the warmth that instantly spread throughout her body. And the taste - the taste was unexpected. Metallic. Sharp. Unfamiliar. Being shoved into her mouth. Alex scrunched her nose. Then it hit her.

It's a blade.

Piper hugged her with urgency. Tight. Mouth close to ear.

"Thebackdoorisclear." She whispered in a barely audible voice. "Taketheredspeedboat. I'll buy you some time."

Alex nodded, whispering, "Sniperupleft. Fouroutsixin."

Piper nodded and kissed her behind her ears.

Piscatella pulled Piper away. Piper let go of her with a longing look.

"That's enough." He grumbled.

"Where are her glasses?" Piper asked.

"What does it matter?"

"Just give it to her." Figueroa ordered.

Piscatella threw the glasses on the floor near Alex's knees.

What a fool.

"The tape. Now." Figueroa demanded.

"It's in my car." Piper said.

"Piscatella go with her and get it." He ordered.

Alex looked down and dropped the blade out of her mouth as they were busy with Piper. She scuffled to reach it. The guards around her must have thought that she was reaching for her glasses. They let it pass with mocking chuckles. But Alex was so close. If she moved the right way, the blade will be in her hands in no time.

Piscatella and two guards followed Piper to her car. All eyes trained on them. Piper was walking so slowly that a guard had to push her to move faster. Still she kept her pace tantalising giving Alex as much time as possible.

Alex scrapped the blade up from the floor in three tries. Keeping her face neutral, she started to cut into the rope. Her fingers bending at an awkward angle. The rope was not that thick. But still it took some effort on her part. She sensed Piper was keeping an eye on her.

Jason took the envelope from Piper and gave it to Kubra.

"Be careful." Piper said as Kubra was about to turn to Alex. Alex schooled her features instantly, hiding the blade and rope fragments.

"These things are old." She said. "Very prone to damages."

Kubra scoffed. He took out a cassette player from his briefcase and set it on a nearby table. That bought Alex enough time to cut the rope off completely. No one was looking at her free hands. They were too interested in the tape. Even the sniper's eyes were trained on Piper's movement.

She put on her glasses. She could see Piper shrinking back a bit. The tape was not real, Piper's expression told her that she did not want them to play it. But there was no time to overthink as Alex cut through the rope binding her feet with one hand. Any moment now.

The cassette player was all set and ready with the tape inside it. Kubra was just waiting for permission.

"Play it." Figueroa said.

—

A/N:

About EmChord's question earlier, there are too many fics but I'll try to name some. These are just the ones I remember. I'll give the author name if possible.

'The equation' definitely is a favourite. I have never read anything like that.

'Swear you're the best for me' (unfinished, by mnjae) is an intriguing story about Marine Piper. The suspense is just mind blowing.

'The Litchfield 8' (unfinished). It's set in prison but a more dark one.

"Favourite shade of sky' (unfinished, by inbetweenbreaths). Just two chapters but oh so good.

'How to save a life' (unfinished), my favourite one. One of the best fics to be honest. It's a brilliantly written medical AU.

'Deus ex machina and the oath' (Unfinished, by imissedyourpatronage). This is the one that I will give anything to read more. Batman AU.

Thank you for the reviews :)