A/N: The support on the previous chapter was crazy. Thank you so much for your kind words. Enjoy!

Alex kept her promise; next day, she was nowhere to be seen. The day after that, was the same. Piper knew that this was way out of control and she had to put an end to this. She took a deep breath before opening the door and entering the office.

"Good morning, Mr. Caputo." The blonde said with confidence.

"Hello, Piper. Take a seat." He gestured at the empty chair in front of him.

Piper did as she was told. "I wanted to talk to you about Alex Vause." For a reason she couldn't explain, she felt wrong talking to Caputo about Alex. Like what they had was something private and now she was spilling all their secrets. I have to. It's my fault things are like this, and it's my responsibility to fix it, she reminded herself.

"What about her?" He removed his glasses and placed them on his desk. "How are your sessions going?"

Piper took a breath knowing that this -like everything involving Alex- could take a very bad turn. "She hasn't been coming to them, lately. We had one planned for Tuesday and she didn't come. I waited to see if she would come today, but she didn't."

"That's because Alex didn't come to school these two days." He sounded a little bit bored.

"Oh." Alex was missing classes because of her. Classes she was already failing in. She felt like she was about to puke. "Sorry to bother you."

"Don't worry about it. I'm actually pleased that you took interest." He smiled at her politely. "If that's all…"

The blonde was ready to leave, when she remembered another issue she wanted to report. "Actually, there's something more."

Caputo gestured her to go on, slightly irritated that Piper would take away more of his precious time.

"Sam Healy is acting very… unprofessional." She said, struggling to find the words to describe his awful behavior.

Caput sighed. "Towards some particular kind of students? Yeah…"

He knew?! And didn't do anything about it? "Sir, he sent a student to me, calling her sick, because of her sexual preferences." Piper was certain that at least this, would make him more sensitive.

However, judging by the way he looked at her, it wasn't the first time he did something like that. "He is a great mathematician. We can't fire him if that's what you are asking me to do."

Rage fueled inside of Piper. "Those students have the same rights as every other student. They can't be treated like that."

"If you are unhappy about his methods, go and talk to him. I've tried to, but like many others, I failed." He said, showing pure apathy.

"I will talk to him."

…

Piper looked down at the paper, checking the address for the fourth time, making sure she was outside the right door, before she knocked. There was no going back now.

The door opened. "Piper?" The brunette's eyes widened as she took in the sight in front of her.

"Hey." She replied awkwardly.

"How did you find my house?"

"The address was in the file of information the school has given me."

"Here to beg already?" Her voice was raspier than usual.

The blonde scoffed. "Hardly. I just came to tell you that you should start coming back to school, since your little game is not worth your education."

Alex let out a mix of laughs and coughs. "God, Piper… Get over yourself. This is not about you, I'm sick."

"Oh. Oh…" That explained a lot,3 like her reddish eyes and attire.

"You know, I shouldn't be talking to you." The brunette pointed out.

"Well, I can't have sex with you now that you are sick. It would be icky." That sounded like a nice excuse…

"Still better than sex with your boyfriend."

Ignoring the brunette's comment, Piper tried to take a peek at Alex's apartment through the crack but didn't make out much. "Are your parents home?"

"You want to meet the parents? Aren't you moving a little bit too fast?" She asked with a smug smirk.

Piper just rolled her eyes.

"My father is never home and my mum is not here right now, like 92 percent of the time." The brunette leaned against the doorframe.

"You are alone?"

The younger woman laughed at Piper's surprise. "I'm an adult, Piper. I can stay at home without supervision."

"Obviously, but you are sick."

Alex's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "And…?"

"You should have someone to take care of you. No matter how old you are."

"That's not me."

"Being taken care of?"

"That's how I was raised." She said with a shrug.

"Move aside." The blonde instructed.

"Why?" She asked, her eyes narrowing.

"I'm going to take care of you, idiot."

"Why…?" The younger woman asked again, Piper's answer only having heightened her confusion.

"Because you deserve someone to take care of you." She meant to say everyone instead of you, but her mouth didn't agree with her.

"I do?" The brunette looked up, uncertainty evident in her eyes. It was one of those rare moments when Alex Vause wasn't super confident. Piper loved those moments.

"Of course." Piper started to stroke her cheek affectionately. "Jesus, Alex. You are very hot."

"I know."

"You have fever." The blonde pointed out, rolling her eyes.

Alex gave her a weak smile. "Yeah, that too."

"You should rest."

"Okay, mum…" The younger woman rolled her eyes, as they walked in the apartment. "I know that it must look awful to you, but-"

"It's great, actually. Has something my house lacks."

It couldn't be considered big, or luxurious but Piper thought it was perfect. Unlike her house, it looked like people were living in there. Well, judging by the decoration and the clothes scattered all over the place, Alex was living there.

"And what is that?"

"It's feels like home."

Piper suddenly noticed that Alex was shuddering, despite her best efforts to hide it. "Are you cold?"

"A little bit." The brunette admitted.

"Where's your bedroom?"

Alex smirked but didn't make a remark. She was too tired for it. "Follow me."

The bedroom was half the size of the one Piper lived in as a teenager. It was also the complete opposite. Instead of soft pastel colors, the walls were painted a dark blue- not that many of it was left uncovered from all the posters Alex had hung.

"In there." Piper commanded pointing at the bed.

With a grin, the brunette let the bathrobe fall on the ground. She was wearing a see-through spaghetti strap shirt -without a bra- and a pair of black panties. Piper's mouth fell open.

"I'm I still icky?" She sounded completely sexy until she coughed.

The blonde chuckled. "Yes."

Alex got under the sheets but Piper noticed how it was still not warm enough for the younger woman. "Where do you keep the blankets?"

Following the brunette's instructions, Piper returned after not much time and placed the new blanket on top of Alex.

"Piper?" She called out, savoring the warmth.

"Yeah?"

"Could I have my book? I fall asleep easier after reading."

"Sure." Piper saw the only book in the room, on Alex's desk. As expected, it was the one she had gifted to her.

"I'm going to find the kitchen and bring you something to eat." She said, after passing her the book.

Alex didn't hear her or simple ignored her since there was no response. Finding the kitchen wasn't hard. Neither was locating the things she needed.

"I doubt I will be able to drink that." Alex said, after Piper entered the room again, this time holding a cup of tea.

"Why? Have you been puking as well?"

The brunette nodded, putting her book aside.

"Have you been able to keep anything down for the last 24 hours?"

"Water…"

"You need to try to eat. No matter how much you puke, you'll always keep a part of what you consumed." Piper placed the cup on the younger woman's nightstand. "I'll be back."

After some minutes, she returned back holding some pieces of toast and a bucket.

"Piper, I'll puke it." Alex whispered, looking at the toast.

"That's why I brought this." She held the bucket high.

Piper helped Alex eat some toast and wash it down with some tea.

"I don't feel that good." The brunette whimpered.

"That's okay, Al. Take it out." Piper brought the bucket close to her mouth.

Alex started puking and the blonde held her hair while stroking her back to make her feel better.

"I'm sorry… This is so disgusting." The brunette said after recovering.

"Don't be. You are human." Piper passed her a tissue. She would clean Alex herself, but she knew that the brunette would not let her.

"I feel so tired." She said in a sleep voice.

As a response, Piper tucked the younger woman in. "I'll read to you to help you fall asleep."

Alex looked at the older woman, but didn't say anything. When she was little, before she could read herself, she would beg her mother to read her something but she never had the time. She always had wondered what it felt like to fall asleep while somebody was reading to you. Taking care of you.

The blonde sat at the edge of the bed and opened the book. It didn't take more than 30 pages for Alex to fall asleep. Piper watched as she looked so peaceful, her eyes shut and her lips closed. She watched as her chest elevated slightly with every breath she took. She looked perfect.

Piper waited for some time to make sure that Alex was deeply asleep before placing a soft kiss on her burning forehead. The brunette, who was fully conscious, felt a wave of heat surround her. Smiling at the feeling, she let herself to finally fall asleep.

…

"You are finally awake."

Alex blinked a few times, adjusting her eyes to the sudden light. "Yeah." When she tried to get to a sitting position, a damp towel fell from her forehead. "What's this?"

"It's to keep the temperature low." She was at the edge of the bed again. "Here. This is wetter." She placed the new towel on Alex's forehead, causing her to let out a satisfied sigh.

"This reminds me that I have to check your temperature." The blonde disappeared in the bathroom, only to come back holding a thermometer.

"I see you are quite familiar with the house now, huh?" Alex asked, while the older woman placed the thermometer in her arm pit.

"I hope you don't mind. You were just asleep for a few hours and I though I could explore the house a little bit."

"I don't mind." She said under her breath, surprised that Piper was still here.

"I also cleaned a little bit." The blonde admitted.

"How dare you do my chores?" She asked in a fake pretended voice. "I wanted to do them myself you bitch!" The brunette flashed a huge grin.

Piper laughed and hit her arm playful. "I wanted to be useful."

"You know, you are spoiling me. What will I do next time I'm sick?"

"Call me." The blonde said sincerely. "I'm here for you, Alex." She placed her palm on the younger woman's hand that was out of the blanket.

Normally, Alex would have scoffed at this. She would have made a snarky remark about how she is forced to be because of her job. But now, the brunette knew that Piper was there for her. Not only as a counselor but as whatever she needed her to be. "I know." She said, hoping that her voice wasn't too soft.

The timer went off and the blonde checked the thermometer. "The fever has somewhat subsided, but you still should take it easy." She placed the thermometer on the bedside. "Wanna go to the living room?"

"Sure."

Piper helped the younger woman get to the couch without collapsing. She wasn't feverish, but she sure was weak. "Do you need anything?"

"No." Alex flashed her a weak smile while trying to hide the fact that she was shivering. Piper, who didn't fail to notice that, left to quickly return with the blankets.

"Thanks." The younger woman murmured as she was surrounded by the needed heat.

"You shouldn't be afraid to ask for anything." Piper told her after sitting down next to her. "Are you feeling better?"

"A little bit." She admitted.

"Are you hungry?"

The brunette nodded emphatically. "Can we order pizza?"

"You can't eat pizza."

"Why not?"

"Because you are sick. I'll cook you soup."

"And you'll eat pizza?" Alex pouted.

"I'll eat soup too, if that makes you happy."

"Nah, order pizza. Just because I'm suffering doesn't mean you have to do so too."

"Aw… You care about me?"

"I let you do my chores. What do you think?" It was the truth Alex wouldn't never dare to say aloud in the form of a joke. I care about you.

"I should start cooking the soup or we will both starve to death."

"I just told you-"

"Misery loves company. It'll be harder for you to eat the soup if you are watching me devour a delicious pizza."

"Aw… You care about me?" The brunette said teasingly.

"Of course, I do." Piper met the younger woman's eyes. "Would I be here babysitting you if I didn't?"

"I didn't ask you to."

"Jesus, don't be so offended." The blonde traced shapes on Alex's arm as she said, "You look really nice when you are sleeping, by the way." The observation slipped off Piper's lips before she could stop it.

"You were watching me sleep? You creep!" Alex lightened up at the memory of Piper kissing her so tenderly. "Was I nice because I wasn't talking?"

"That too, but you just looked… like an angel. A dark angel."

"You are so smooth."

"I don't need to flirt. I literally just have to say fuck me Alex and you will."

"That's because I like you." The younger woman explained.

"I'll go make the soup." She announced when she didn't have another smart response.

"Running away, how noble."

…..

Piper could hear the TV from the kitchen as she prepared the soup. She wasn't big on cooking, but she was experienced enough to make something simple as soup.

"Food is ready." She announced happily, emerging out of the kitchen holding two steaming bowls.

"Why does yours have more things?"

"Because I needed a little something to make it tastier."

"So, mine will suck." The brunette whined.

"It will be good for your health, but yeah."

Alex tasted it and started gagging.

"You are over reacting." The blonde complained.

"I'm grateful you did this for me, Pipes, but this is awful."

Piper couldn't disagree.. It was the kind of soup Mary -their maid- made for her when she was sick. It always made her recover to health faster, but the taste was bad. She started brainstorming for ideas to make it more pleasant for the younger woman.

"I have an idea! We'll play never have I ever and instead of drinking, you'll have to eat a spoonful."

Alex smirked, clearly fond of the idea. "Deal. Get the tequila."

"Tequilla?"

"You'll be drinking, since you made your soup so much better than mine."

"It's not that much better. Also, I don't think I'll be doing a great job at taking care of you if I'm drunk."

"That's my goal. Getting you drunk enough to let me order pizza."

Piper laughed as she fetched the booze. "I'll start first." She announced. "Never have I ever done drugs."

"Does weed count?"

"Yes." Piper was unsure if it did, but she was desperate to get Alex to eat as much as possible.

With a grumpy face, the brunette ate some of her soup. "Never have I ever fucked in public." She waited for the older woman, who didn't drink. "Ugh." She took another spoonful.

"Never have I ever gone down on a girl." The blonde said with a smug smirk.

"What kind of lesbian are you?" Alex asked, eating more.

"The boob touching one."

The brunette rolled her eyes. "Never have I ever been with a man."

That made Piper down her first shot. "Never have I ever role-played in bed." She watched the younger woman eat another spoonful.

"Never have I ever had sex on my parents bed." The brunette said and ate.

Piper downed another shot, making Alex fake a gasp. "The WASPy Piper Chapman did it on her parents bed? I can't believe it…"

"Never have I ever fantasized about someone." She emptied her glass once more, after glancing at the younger woman briefly. Her eyes widened in surprise when Alex ate. She was hoping she would, but didn't really expect her to."Really? Who?"

"You don't know her." The brunette murmured.

The blonde arched an eyebrow, totally not buying it. But Alex wasn't the one consuming the alcohol. So, there was no way in hell she wouldn't confess that that person was Piper.

The soup was almost finished and Alex had thought of the perfect thing to say, when she felt nauseous. "Um, Piper… Bucket. Now."

The blonde's reflexes were quick, bringing the bucket to Alex at the right moment. She watched as the younger woman filled the bucket. When she was done, she looked pale.

"You need to hydrate." She pressed a water glass against her lips, helping her drink.

"Thanks." Alex managed after recovering.

"Wanna watch a movie? I'll let you pick it."

"I'm I allowed to eat pop-corn?" She asked, in a hopeful tone.

"I wouldn't recommend it." The excitement faded from Alex's eyes. "But I promise, we can have another movie night when you are alright."

"Are you asking me on a date?"

"Of course no!" She exclaimed defensively. "I'm justing being friendly."

"But I'm not talking to you, remember?"

"You are, right now." She pointed out.

"Today is cheat day."

Piper rolled her eyes but didn't say anything, as the movie started.

"The Black Swan?" She asked, surprised by Alex's choice.

"Have you seen it?"

"No."

"Do you have a problem with seeing it?"

"No."

"Great."

Some minutes in, Piper could see how the younger woman was struggling to not support herself on the blonde. "You can rest you head on my shoulder if you want." She offered, softly.

Alex didn't say anything as she let her head drop on Piper. After some time, the blonde felt Alex put more weight on her and noticed that her eyes were closed. She tried to move her, without waking her up, but the only thing she managed was to get Alex's body to fall completely on her.

Since waking her up was not an option, Piper wrapped an arm around the brunette in an attempt to get more comfortable herself, somewhat hugging her. The heat radiating from the other woman's body was better than any blanket could ever be. Her even heartbeat and long breaths the best lullaby Piper had ever heard.

Without thinking much about it, she pulled her closer, Alex's head falling on the blonde's chest. She couldn't help herself, but inhale the brunette's dazzling scent. Like at the bar, it felt like time had stopped. A moment so perfect, that living this for eternity would suffice for Piper.

A/N: I hoped that was up to your expectations. Feedback is highly appreciated. Keep telling me your requests/ideas/suggestions :) One of you said that it would be better if Alex was the one that caved in instead of Piper. What do you think? The most reviewed option will be the one that will be used. Also, the choice for the movie was not random ;)