Math, Alex hated it. She never cared much for it in school but she understood the things that came along with it. Cards on the other hand were a different story. She knows cards; she used to roll with the big hitters at one point because in the past, the deals she made occurred at public places. Easy to escape, no questions asked. Cards are Alex's strong forte when it came to gambling. It's not really rocket science. All it is, is mathematics and being able to read your opponents next moves and always being two steps ahead.

She knew her way around a full table and something about the smell of cigars, and the staunch of alcohol gave her a sense of high at a gambling environment. This was her area of expertise and that smirk, those black pair of glasses; it's not just all for the beauty, they help when it comes to certain things— after all, a good player should always use whatever means necessary to win, especially when it's poker.

Of the original thirteen competitors at the once full table, only three remained. Two serious gambling addicts in suites and a dark raven haired beauty with thick black rimmed glasses. While the other two players played fair—yet cautious of every move, Alex was as calm as the sea.

"All in." The scruffy bearded man in the grey suit said, as he pushed his chips in the middle of the table.

"I'm all in too." The other man announced.

"You guys so shouldn't have done that."

Alex took the last swig of her whisky, letting the liquor boil down her throat, a gasp escaped the vixen woman's lips. She fixed her glasses and flashed her opponents that crooked smirk of hers. This must be her lucky night.

"Gentlemen, the thing about cards is, it's not that complicated." She lectured the idiots around the table with dumb looks on their faces. Not believing that they've been made by a woman. "Sometimes you just get lucky."

Her smile only grew brighter as she flipped over two pair of kings. She showed her cards and gathered her winning chips. "It's been nice taking your money."

Alex left the table and headed across the casino to cash out.

…

While Alex's expertise is Poker when it came to gambling, Sadie's is Craps.

Dices likes the blonde woman. And it's not like she's ever learned to play. Just one day, she decided to head to a casino and she played— it was never about the money. It was for the ambience but that night she won big and ever since, she's had the luck. She rolls, and wins.

"You've been on fire, what's the secret?"

It was the man next to Sadie. For six straight rounds he's been standing besides her— flirting with her and though he's not exactly the type Sadie would go for, she flirted back and he kept the drinks coming.

Sadie blew at the dices in her hand and smirked at him. "Just luck." She replied.

Not even bothering to look, she tossed the dices and the cheers of the crowd behind her as the dices hit the wooden table let her know it was a win.

"Eight!" The dealer yelled.

Sadie smirked back at the man. "Like I said, luck."

While a certain crazy haired blonde had better luck with the Slot machines— the Italian princess was better at making dealers lose their shit when it came to Black Jack. Lorna is familiar with the whole distraction thing the dealers do while they switch the cards. The only difference is, she's better at it. The casino always wins, she knows that but tonight, the game was in her favor.

"Hit me."

888

Vegas being Vegas didn't really care to check I.D's anymore since every teenager in the world owned fake I.D's now. Walking into the crowded club, the girls bumped into drunken teenagers stumbling everywhere. Strobe lights blurred their vision, loud blaring music thump the speakers throughout the entire club, making the room shake and spiral in circles, dancing bodies tangled together, and a very long line by the bar.

"Let's party bitches!"

The girls headed for the bar with authority. Four attractive young ladies surely got them unlimited amount of alcohol. When the shots were starting to kick in, the girls had gone to the dance floor in the middle of sweaty bodies, and the intoxicating smell of alcohol where they danced like wild animals as if they had no care in the world.

And at that moment, nothing really mattered. It felt great to just let loose. They earned this night and they wanted to blow every cent away.

888

It was about three o'clock in the morning when the girls checked into one of Vegas' finest hotel suites. Exhausted and maybe a little bit drunk, Sadie and Alex got a suite separately from Nicky and Lorna. Alex didn't want to be around those hormonal teenagers that couldn't seem to stop touching each other all night.

Swiping the card at the door, Alex kicked the door open and sighed in relief. She needed to use the bathroom badly. As she ran to the bathroom, she took a quick glance at the place. It was worth the money. The suite was beautiful. It was large, with crème painted walls, large couches and huge windows overlooking the whole city. They had a small kitchen, but the bedroom was big enough for two and the queen size bed was so soft and comfortable, it was taunting Alex.

"Lexie!" Sadie shouted.

"Yeah?" Alex replied.

"Do you want a beer?" Sadie asked from the kitchen.

Alex rolled her eyes. She seriously couldn't consume anymore alcohol because she was already feeling like shit and she was in no position to go into kidney failure but with Sadie, no amount of alcohol is ever enough. This girl never stops partying.

"I'm going to take a quick shower, but yeah, save me one." Alex replied.

She ran the hot water then she begin to strip out of her clothes. Alex couldn't believe how tense her muscles felt and though exhausted, she considered this weekend a good one. She almost forgot how much she enjoyed partying and just letting loose. Sadie definitely knows when to make a needed appearance and this weekend was a great getaway for Alex even though she knows she's going to regret it.

Stepping in the shower, Alex slid the glass door shut—the steams enveloping her almost immediately as the hot water hit her pale skin. She turned around and closed her eyes, letting her head be drenched from the falling water, flattening her dark hair to her skin. As she ran her hands through her hair, listening to the water hit the marbled stone; she could feel her muscles relaxing while the hot water washed away the long night.

Alex let her thoughts drift far away—for a moment, she allowed herself to think about a certain blonde girl with blue eyes as her features popped in her mind and she wondered about what she could be doing.

Snap out of it!

She reached for the shampoo on the shelf above the shower and squirt some into her palm. She rubbed her hands together before running them through her long, dark hair— massaging her scalp, making sure she got all her entangled hair.

A few minutes later, Alex stepped out of the shower feeling clean and thankful for soap and water. She wrapped a clean robe around her body and threw a towel over her head as she made her way through the bedroom. Alex dried her hair then went to find Sadie.

When Alex stepped in the large living room, the young blonde was nowhere to be seen. Alex opened the fridge and grabbed herself a cold beer. She popped the cap off and took a long swing of the cold beer.

Opening the balcony door, she found the blonde woman outside with a beer bottle in her hand admiring the beautiful view of the city at dawn in a t-shirt only.

Alex couldn't help but stare. Though it's been a while since her and Sadie happened, there are some things that haven't changed. She always admired Sadie's beautiful porcelain skin and legs.

"Adie?" Alex called as she stepped outside the balcony to join the blonde, careful not to startle her.

Sadie looked back and smiled at Alex. "You look nice." She said, turning her body around completely to face Alex.

"Thanks." Alex came to stand next to Sadie.

The cool wind of the night blew her hair and Alex shivered a little bit from just coming out of the shower.

"It's cold." Alex said.

"Let's go back inside then." Sadie suggested.

"Good idea." Alex nodded.

She slid the balcony door open and waited for Sadie to get in before closing it behind her inside. Once inside, the two women sat across each other on a wooden table sitting in the middle of the living room.

Sadie reached for Alex's face and tucked a strand of the brunette's hair behind her ears. She then stroked her thumb across Alex's cheek. "I know my track record has been shit these past two years but I've missed you, a lot, A. Vause." The Australian blonde said.

Alex offered Sadie a warm smile in return. "I've missed you too, S. Bella."

Sadie chuckled. She's really missed everything about the brunette. She couldn't help herself from staring. "I forgot how hot you looked." She said as she took a sip from her half empty bottle of beer.

"Says the blonde Australian with the plump pink lips." Alex teased.

Sadie rolled her eyes. "Are you really still holding this over me?" She asked.

"Yeah." Alex replied. "What happened to modeling, by the way?"

"I got bored." Sadie answered. "You know, me, I could never stick to one thing."

Alex knew. She nodded. "As adventurous as that makes you, you're also stupid." She said. "And I say that with a lot of love."

Sadie's wicked smart. She could've been this big time lawyer but she fucked up. They've all fucked up but at least Alex and Nicky knew to clean up their act before it got worse.

Sure Sadie was doing better now, but she's still the same girl Alex knows.

Sadie shrugged. "What am I gonna do?" She asked. "I don't wanna be one of those people who spend thirty years on a job then retire old with no sense of adventure or whatsoever." She said. "I'll have many stories to tell— I remember someone once said that to me."

Alex scoffed, taking a small sip of her beer. "She was stupid too back then."

Sadie can't help but laugh at that.

"Nah. I used to know her. She was pretty amazing."

Silence fell between the two women for a second and their eyes shifted from each other to the view outside the huge windows.

"Anybody special?" Sadie asked curiously.

"No." Alex replied truthfully. "I was never any good at the whole relationship thing. I'm a fuck up when it comes to commitment. You know that."

"True." Sadie agreed. "But just because it didn't work out the first time around doesn't mean it never will." Sadie said.

Alex chuckled. "Yeah. I'll keep that in mind."

…

The two women spent the next hour conversating, not even realizing the time until it started to get a little bit light outside.

"God, I forgot how much of an insufferable stubborn pain in the ass you were!" Sadie laughed. "I could never win with you. It's ridiculous, really."

"Hey, you shouldn't have dared me in the first place." Alex said.

They caught their breath and silence once again fell between them.

"You've really changed, stretch."

Alex chuckled at her old nickname while shaking her head. "I don't think I have." She said. "I'm still pretty consistent."

"Really?" Sadie questioned with raised eyebrows. "The old Alex Vause I remember wouldn't turn down a plane ticket to Peru. She jumped in and did what needed doing. Then again, the Alex I remembered didn't really spend hours talking about anything. She would've thrown me on this table ten seconds after we walked in this suite."

"Hm," Alex moaned. "You make a good point."

She stood up and made Sadie stand up too. Shaking the table to make sure it was solid enough; she flipped the empty bottle of beers off of it. She then grabbed the blonde Australian beauty by her shirt—removed the piece of clothing over the blonde's head and tossed it across the room carelessly before she claimed the blonde's plump lips between hers.

Taken by surprise, Sadie bit on Alex's lower lips.

Their kiss is deep— tongues mingling and lips flaming of desire invoking moans of deep need. They fell on the table behind them… long legs wrapped around Alex's legs as she worked on discarding the piece of lace fabric, that's keeping the inevitable from happening.

…

They collapsed on the table, limbs weak and exhausted, both breathing unevenly. Alex ran her fingers through Sadie's golden blonde hair and pressed a kiss against the blonde's lips.

"Now that's the Alex I remember."

Chuckles escaped their lips. Until now, they hadn't realized how much they needed some familiarity. Getting it here and there was great—truly but sometimes, all one needs is familiarity and a mind-blowing orgasm. Thankfully, they were still great friends.

"Just doing what needs to be done."

They hold hands while coming down from their heights. Alex's fingers trailed between Sadie's breastbones over the light freckles on her chest.

"I missed your tits." Alex whispered.

Sadie grinned. She turned to face Alex and propped on her elbows as she looked into the brunette's emerald green eyes.

"What was it about me?"She asked bemusedly.

Alex didn't reply right away. Back when she met Sadie, she was looking for something different and they just so happen to fall in each other's arms.

"After everything— all the shit we've put each other through, we're still friends. Why?"

Alex stroked the blonde's hair and smirked. "Well, it helps that you're hot."

Sadie rolled her eyes, poking Alex's ribs.

"You're not that shallow, Vause." She said.

Alex sighed. She and Sadie was a long time ago and because so much has happened between them, going back there isn't such a fun trip.

"It wasn't all bad," She finally replied. "I admit that when it was bad between us, it was shit but when it was good, we had the best time." She added. "And what's three musketeers if one is missing?"

Sadie chuckled. "Speaking of musketeers, what do you think Nicky and the Italian princess are doing?" She asked.

Alex rolled her eyes. "God, I don't even wanna know." She shook her head. The last thing she needs right now is the image of her best friend and some other girl in her head. "That's the reason why we got a room three floors above them."

"I'm starving." Sadie yawned.

"Hm," Alex said. "Me too. I want coffee."

"Is it too early to order room service?" Sadie asked.

Alex shrugged. "I don't know." She replied. "But let's go to the bedroom and put something on then we can call."

"Okay."

888

Meanwhile three floors below…

Nicky and Lorna lay in bed under the covers, with sweat trailing from their pores.

"You know, you can stop staring at my lips or you can do something about it." Lorna teased.

Nicky turned her head away, looking up at the ceiling. "I don't do the kissing thing." She informed.

Lorna raised her eyebrows— confused by the crazy haired woman. "Okay, so you will have sex with me but you won't kiss me even though you haven't stopped staring at my lips ever since we met at the airport?" She questioned.

Nicky nodded. "Yep. Pretty much." She replied.

"Hm, you're the weirdest person I've ever met." Lorna said.

Nicky chuckled. "Have you met my best friend?" She said sarcastically. "Being Alex Vause's best friend, I've been called worse."

"So is that like a phobia of yours or what?" Lorna asked curiously.

Nicky shook her head. "No. I just don't kiss strangers." She replied.

"Stranger?" Lorna repeated. "At this point, I would hardly call me a stranger." She said. "I don't normally sleep with or spend my night talking to crazy-haired lesbians but then again, there's a first time for everything right?"

"I suppose so." Nicky replied.

"Honest truth," Lorna sat on the bed and pulled the sheets with her.

"Okay." Nicky smiled. "What?"

"Why don't you comb your hair?" The brunette asked.

"I already told you, it's a style." Nicky replied.

"Bullshit." Lorna scoffed.

"Fine." Nicky sat up. She pulled her legs towards her chest and sighed. "I already told you that I don't have a relationship with my mother and that's true." She said. "She was never around so for a long time I had a nanny; Becca. She basically raised me but at some point, I grew up. And I had to take care of myself but hair is just hair so I never cared to do anything about them."

Lorna smiled.

"Why are you smiling?" Nicky asked.

"We're going to do something about your hair right now." Lorna said.

"Um, you're not touching my hair." Nicky begin to get out of bed.

"Okay, how about this?" Lorna followed her. "I will do something I've been afraid of doing for a long time if you let me cut your hair."

"Oh please, you've run a marathon— for me that's probably as scary as it gets." Nicky said.

"How are you not fat?" Lorna chuckled.

"Hey, I used to play tennis." Nicky defended. "Just because I'm not a marathon runner or a triathlon winner doesn't mean I'm supposed to be fat."

"I've always wanted to experience an OBE." Lorna said. "But unfortunately, I am afraid that I'll die so if you let me cut your hair, I will face my fear and do an OBE."

"That's not a fair trade." Nicky said.

Lorna groaned. "Fine, if you let me cut your hair, I will eat five pickled eggs."

Nicky's eyes grew wide. "Five?" She questioned.

"Yeah." Lorna replied.

"Those things are disgusting, you know that right?" Nicky chuckled.

"Exactly why." Lorna rolled her eyes. "Now is that fair enough for you?"

"Okay, let's do this before I change my mind."

…

The two women emerged from the bathroom together with a towel over Nicky's head. Nicky walked towards the bed and sat down as she waited for Lorna to grab a few things from her suitcase.

"The fact that you carry scissors with you scares the shit out of me." Nicky said.

Lorna rolled her eyes. "I don't just carry scissors Nichols." She said. "I carry all this," She waved a small black bag in front of Nicky's face, "because I do my hair and makeup all the time."

"So you know what you're doing, right?" Nicky questioned.

She can never be too cautious.

"I went to cosmetic-beauty school." Lorna replied. "I'm not gonna mess it up. You can trust me." She promised. "In another hour, your hair is gonna look new and shiny."

Nicky held her hand up. "Wait… An hour?!" She exclaimed. "How much of it are you cutting?"

"You'll see." Lorna smirked.

…

Sometime later, Lorna had finished applying olive oil spray in Nicky's hair, ready for the ginger head to see her new hair. The strawberry blonde hair that was once crazy and all over the place was now at medium length and parted to the side and dressed in soft layered waves and bangs obscuring an eye, making it a great style to balance out the blonde's long face.

"Can I see it now?" Nicky asked.

"Yeah." Lorna chuckled.

"If this looks horrible, I will commit suicide in this hotel room." Nicky swore.

Lorna rolled her eyes. "Quit being so dramatic, would ya?" She said. "I promised I'd make you look good. I'm a woman of my words."

Putting her hand over Nichol's eyes as they reached the bathroom, Lorna leaned into the Nicky's ears. "Ready?" She whispered.

Nicky nodded. "Yeah. Let's see it."

Lorna removed her hand off Nichol's eyes and she watched the blonde's face light up. Nicky couldn't believe how great it looked. Her now healthy strawberry blonde hair glowed under the fluorescent light in the bathroom, making Nicky's smile reach her dark brown eyes.

She shook her head side to side laughing at how thick and healthy her hair was. Nicky doesn't remember the last time her hair looked so great— maybe probably since freshmen year of high school. A long time ago, it seems.

"Vause is going to flip." Nicky laughed. "She's going to think you cast some type of spell on me."

Lorna chuckled. "Totally worth it right?"

"Yeah." Nicky nodded.

She turned around to hug the small brunette contently but as fate would have it, their lips met accidentally. It's a feathery brush at first— but it's achingly sweet.

"You don't kiss strangers." Lorna muttered against the blonde's lips.

Nicky nuzzled her nose across the brunette's face. She opened her mouth to reply, but an aspired gasp escapes between those lips instead. She had one taste but she wants more.

"I don't." Nicky whispered.

The desire grew stronger as their lips barely touch— they're breathing with each other, eyes willed with lust and Nicky wants to let go— let it happen but they've only just met and she doesn't do the kissing thing.

Nicky brought her hand up and pushed a stray of dark hair across the brunette's face— the air became thin, making it hard to breathe as she continued to look into the brunette's eyes but her brown orbs are the farthest thing away in Nicky's eyes. It's those lips. She wants to taste them again.

And it's killing her how much she wants it— more than anything at the moment.

"You're not getting kissed." Nichols whispered huskily.

However, she does peck the brunette's cheeks for a job well done. "Thanks for my hair."

Morello was left standing in the bathroom with unwavering eyes, unable to believe what the hell just happened.

"Are you kidding me?"

She screamed and it's scream of rage— desperation and mixed with somewhat unfulfilled need.

Lorna has come across some weird people in her time— dated some even but none of them compared to Nicky. But weirdly enough, the blonde is also the best she's ever had in forever.

888

Sunday afternoon was spent exploring in the city. Too much to see, too little time, but Alex couldn't help but smile. She was going to regret this weekend at some point given the lack of sleep she got, but she wouldn't trade it in for anything. She had to come to Vegas this weekend to get a sense of her old self back.

Not that she wanted all the time like before… now obviously she led a more peaceful life… after everything that's happened, she couldn't be blamed. But once in a while, she wants Alex-mode. She wants to dance, drink and wake up with a pounding headache. Like it or not, this is who she is. She's the girl that came from nothing but now she has everything and she's living with the fear that her past might catch up with her.

She needed to live.

Only young once right?

…

The sun had just sunk behind the horizon and it was starting to get dark when both Alex and Nicky decided it was time they leave before it was too late. Alex had her job to go back to, but Nicky on the contrary, she could've stayed if she wanted to.

"Come with me." Sadie begged Alex one last time.

Alex smiled. Once upon a time, she would've… in a heartbeat. But now, she was trying something new.

"I can't D." She replied as she stroked the blonde's smooth cheek. "Come visit, soon okay? I miss you when you're gone too long."

The gorgeous blonde promised. "Soon."

"Don't do anything stupid." Alex also added.

Sadie chuckled. "I'll try not to."

They stared at each other for a few seconds as they realized that they really had a special friendship. With unshed tears behind her blue eyes, Sadie pulled the tall brunette into a hug.

"I love you, A. Vause."

Alex smiled. She only says "I love you" to a handful amount of people and Sadie, though they've been over for a long time, she's family and that meant something in Alex's book.

"I love you too, S. Bella." She replied.

Finally pulling apart, Alex glanced over at Nicky and Lorna who stood next to the car.

"Thank you for eating nasty egg pickles for me." Alex heard Nicky say.

The Italian princess chuckled. "What can I say? I'm a romantic."

…

Once all goodbyes were said, Alex climbed in the passenger's seat next to Nicky, waving goodbye to Sadie and Lorna on a cab to the airport.

"I don't understand why you won't let me drive." Alex said, annoyed.

Nicky raised her eyebrows. "And what? Risk dying?" The strawberry blonde teased. "You don't respect what we in America call "speed limit" and that's why, you don't own a car and drive a motorcycle."

Alex nodded knowing she had no valid argument. And besides, Nicky driving will give her the chance to catch up on some much needed sleep.

"Point taken." The brunette replied.

She shuffled through the collection of CD's in Nicky's glove compartment. Finally finding the CD she was looking for, Alex slipped it in the CD player and skipped to the third track of the CD that marked her favorite song.

Starting the engine, Nicky sighed. Back home it is.

"Are gonna talk about you getting a haircut?" Alex asked.

She certainly wasn't done teasing Nicky because for so long, she would beg the short woman to go to a hair salon and do something with that hair of hers but she refused and suddenly, by some miracle, a certain Italian princess with a Brooklyn accent comes and gave her best friend a whole new makeover.

"You fucked Bella." Nicky silenced her. "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."

With a muffled chuckled, Alex nodded. "Fine." She smirked. "But you're totally a goner with that girl."

Choosing to ignore that, Nicky turned the volume of the CD player up. Spacecrafts by Have Mercy blasted through the speakers loudly as the two best friends rode into the sunset on their way back home together.

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Well this is it for this chapter guys! I'm sorry for the delay though! I meant to post much earlier. I know that I've been very vague about Alex's past and Sadie throughout the chapter but that will all together at some point. On the bright side, Chapman is back next chapter. I know how much you guys have missed her. I promise I'll make it worth it. But yeah, please review and let me know what you guys thought. Also vote if you'd like to see Lorna back for a few more chapters. But Sadie, I can't say much for her, other than that she's definitely needed to fill the blanks of Alex's mysterious past. Stay tune… Until next time!