Author's note: Sorry, I skipped one week because I was so busy with school... Anyways, here it is :P

Enjoy!

"Piper?"

Piper looked up sharply, her teary eyes focusing on Alex and she got up quickly and went to hug Alex tightly.

"Alex", she breathed out as she clung her hands around Alex's torso like her life depended on it.

"I'm here", Alex whispered hugging Piper back.

Alex wasn't sure how long they just stood there, hugging each other and Piper silently crying on Alex's shoulder. She stayed quiet, just offering her support until Piper was ready to talk.

Polly had left the two of them alone at some point and when Alex's legs started to get tired, she moved them to lay down on Piper's bed without breaking the hug.

"Thank you. For coming here", Alex heard Piper mumble at some point.

"Of course. I'll be always there for you."

Piper tightened the hug and snuggled herself even closer, not wanting to talk about what happened just yet.

Alex laid there with her, offering silent support but hoping she could do so much more. Hoping she would be able to take the pain away...

She saw the truck and the tired driver who had probably driven the whole night. She saw in slow motion how the driver's eyes closed and his head drooped forward.

He lost the control of the truck. And now it was on the wrong side of the road, rolling towards the white Mercedes. The driver jolted awake and tried to dodge the inevitable crash.

Piper saw it all too clearly but wasn't able to close her eyes or look another direction.

Suddenly the scene changed. She was rushing through the hospital doors, her legs felt like lead and she didn't seem to get forward at all.

Piper ran. The seconds felt like minutes and she was afraid that she wouldn't make it. That when she turned up it was already too late. Piper didn't know what she was so afraid of or where she was going but she knew that she needed to get there quickly.

Finally, after what felt like hours she reached the operating room. Piper looked frantically around before her eyes landed on Diane. She wasn't looking too good. Diane's face was pale and her eyes were red from the crying. Now it all made sense.

The surgeon looked apologetic and that really was everything Piper needed to know.

"No..."

Diane turned to look at Piper and started crying again.

Piper shook her head. This couldn't be happening. "No."

"I'm sorry."

Piper couldn't even place if the surgeon or Diane said that.

She continued to shake her head. "No."

"I'm sorry."

Piper jolted awake. She couldn't get her breath under control and she started to hyperventilate. She didn't remember how she ended up sitting in the corner or what Polly had talked to her in order to her calm down. She didn't remember that she had screamed but she apparently had if her throbbing throat was any indication.

Whatever Polly was saying, it seemed to help as her breathing slowed down. Piper was more aware of her surroundings and finally registered that Polly was talking in phone with someone.

Soon she was able to recognize Diane's voice that was on the speaker and she finally focused her eyes on Polly who looked terrified. Which was fair since Piper knew that her panic attacks can be a little terrifying. She hadn't had them in a long time but now everything combined, hanging out with Polly, Jessica's assholeness and having to deal with all the feelings that came along as she was falling in love with Alex. Yup, she wasn't even trying to deny that anymore.

As soon when she heard Polly to say that Alex was coming, the panic increased again. Alex. The original reason to the whole panic attack. She couldn't lose Alex. She was hundred percent sure that she wouldn't survive from that. And now if Alex was coming here... anything could happen.

She faintly registered Polly talking something to her again... or maybe it was Diane, she couldn't be sure. After a while she became aware that Polly wasn't in the room anymore and she didn't know if she was glad or disappointed.

She was trying to get her emotions in check as she heard a familiar voice to say her name.

She jumped up and went to wrap her hands around Alex as tightly as she could.

They spent the rest of the early morning laying on Piper's bed. Piper was positive that Alex had fallen asleep but couldn't do that herself. She just laid there, hugging Alex tightly, listening her steady breathing and refusing to let go.

Diane was standing in front of Piper's door and was wondering if it was too early to pay a visit. It was only eight at the morning.

She tried to listen if there was any indication that someone was awake but couldn't hear anything. Finally, she gave up and just knocked on the door.

She heard someone coming to open the door but stopping for a while. Probably to look through the peephole.

When the door opened, Diane was greeted by the sight of tired Polly. Poor girl hadn't probably slept after the 4 a.m. when she had called.

"Diane, hey", Polly said as she opened the door wider to let her in.

"Hey. I just came to check on Piper and to bring Alex her phone."

"They've been in Piper's room the whole time", Polly told her.

Diane nodded before went to knock quietly on Piper's bedroom door. When she didn't hear an answer, she peeked in carefully. She closed the door as she saw the girls cuddling, assuming that they were asleep.

"I'll just leave this here", Diane said as she put Alex's phone on the kitchen table.

"Okay..." Polly said before hesitating. "Uhmm... Do you want some coffee?"

Diane studied the girl before nodded. "Sure. Thank you." It would be good to get to know her better.

Polly felt awkward under the older woman's piercing eyes and she wondered if she knew about her and Piper's past. She busied herself with finding Diane a mug and once she had found one, she gave it to her.

"Thank you", Diane said as she went to pour herself coffee.

They sat down to drink their coffees and an awkward silence fell between them. Or it was awkward at least in Polly's opinion.

Polly was debating between asking Diane about Piper's panic attacks or waiting for Diane to open the conversation. She decided to just ask when Diane didn't show any signs of starting the conversation.

"Are Piper's panic attacks common?"

Diane furrowed her eyebrows. "I don't know at all. I didn't even know she has been having them."

Polly nodded. "She has always liked to keep private things private."

"Have you been up the whole time?" Diane asked.

"Yeah... I tried to sleep but I couldn't. So, I've just been sitting here and drinking coffee."

"You're worried about her."

"Of course I'm worried about her. She was my best friend... You can't just cut a connection like that", Polly said with almost hurtful expression.

"From what I've heard, you two seemed to manage to do that just fine", Diane quipped with raised eyebrows.

Polly sighed in defeat because Diane was right. "But it still doesn't mean that I don't care about her."

It was Diane's turn to nod. "I know."

After a while of silence that wasn't so uncomfortable anymore, Polly got up. "I'm gonna pop into a grocery store. I guess you're welcome to stay if you want?"

"It's fine, I'll just go back to home... Why are you going to a grocery store? I thought you went there yesterday? Not that I'm keeping a record of how many times you go shopping but just out of curiosity."

"Oh... I just wanted to- Piper used to eat chocolate if she was having a bad day or something and I just thought... maybe she'd like some... I don't know, anyway I fancy some chocolate myself so..."

Diane smiled a little. "You're a good kid Polly, despite your actions in the past."

"I try to be..." Polly sighed.

Both of them left the apartment, Polly going to her own car and Diane wondered if she should take the car Alex had driven there or just take the bus again. She decided to take the car, she could just come to pick Alex up if she needed a ride.

When Diane was in the car, she took her phone from her bag and just stared at it, not knowing what she should do.

Finally, she just scrolled through her contacts before found the name she was looking for.

She took a deep breath before she pressed the 'call' and put her phone on her ear.

It took for a while but finally the person answered. "Hello?"

"Cal, hey. This is Diane, Piper's employer..."

"Ah, Diane. Of course. Is everything okay?"

"I'm not sure. Do you know... Has Piper had panic attacks before?" Diane asked tentatively, not sure if this was the kind of thing Piper would have liked to keep from her brother.

Cal was silent a couple seconds. "Panic attacks? I know she has had them but... I really don't know how often they happened. She said that they were pretty uncommon but I think she might have lied to ease my mind. Has she been having them lately?"

"I don't know... Polly just called us last night when Piper was having a panic attack but I don't know anything else apart from that..."

"Did you say Polly? Is Polly there? With Piper?" Cal asked sounding worried.

"Yeah. She got thrown out by her parents and didn't have anywhere else to go. Piper could have stayed at our place but she said it was fine and from what I've seen, they are somewhat made up..."

Cal made an unconvinced sound. "Sure. How has she been after the panic attack?"

"I'm not sure actually... Alex went there and when I visited there while ago they seemed to be asleep."

"I doubt Piper was able to fell asleep again but I'm really glad she has you two."

"Of course", Diane smiled

"I'll talk with her soon, thank you for calling me", Cal said, really sounding grateful.

"Yeah, no problem."

Polly was wandering around the aisles, trying to find the chocolates when suddenly, she collided with someone.

"Watch where you are going", an annoyed voice said sharply.

"Sorry", Polly said, almost sarcastically as she rolled her eyes. She didn't even bother to glance at the rude stranger.

"Wait", The voice said, now a little friendlier.

Polly looked up and recognized the girl that was arguing with Piper at the bookshop. "What?"

"You're Piper's friend, right?"

"I wouldn't say that we're friends but..."

"You don't like her either?"

Polly furrowed her eyebrows. "What are you getting at?"

"Look, she's been bitch to me ever since she moved here. I was wondering if you wanted to... I don't know, help me to get a payback?"

Polly raised her eyebrows intrigued. "I'm listening..."

"Piper?" Alex whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Just wanted to know if you were asleep."

"I wasn't", Piper said, not bothering to inform about her lack of sleep in the whole morning.

Alex was quiet for a while before spoke again. "You wanna talk about it?"

Piper shook her head. "Not really."

"Okay", Alex nodded. "Have you... had those often."

"No. They started after the accident but I haven't had them for a long time now", Piper responded, not directly answering the question.

"That's good."

Piper nodded. "Yeah..."

"Do you think..." Alex started but trailed off hesitating. "I know you don't like therapists but they really could be able to help."

"Alex."

"It's good that you've learned to trust me and my mom and I'm really glad if you feel like that has helped but there's just something with therapists that we can't reach. I know I can't make you go but I really think you should."

"Alex. I've already tried, it won't help", Piper sighed.

"Are you sure?" Alex asked as she looked at Piper worriedly.

"I am. I'm seriously fine."

Alex didn't seem too convinced but left the topic. "Alright then..."

"Do you want coffee? I could use some coffee", Piper said as she got up.

"Sure", Alex said as she also got up. She took her glasses from the nightstand she had put them. When Alex took in Piper's state, red eyes from crying, dark circles under her eyes and slightly pale skin, she opened her mouth to say something again. She however shut it when she got a warning look from Piper.

They exited the room together and went to the kitchen.

"Where's Polly?" Piper asked as she looked around.

Alex pointed the note on the table. "She went shopping. Oh... My mom visited too."

"Why Polly would need to go shopping?" Piper asked as she also went to read the note before shrugged and went to make coffee. "Whatever."

The clock was already quarter past ten when Polly came back. Piper had showered and was looking a bit better.

"Hey", Piper said before took in Polly's appearance and cringed. "I'm sorry for waking you."

"Hi. It's fine, are you okay?"

Piper nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine. What were you doing in the grocery store?"

Polly looked kind of guilty. "I was craving some chocolate. I didn't know if you wanted but I bought you some anyways..."

Piper raised her eyebrows. Polly never craved anything sweet. She didn't exercise much so she didn't feel too good after consuming sugar. "Right..." Piper said skeptically. Well, maybe Polly had changed on that aspect. "Thank you, chocolate sounds good."

Polly gave her a little hesitantly a bar of Dove chocolate that had been Piper's favorite.

"You remembered", Piper smiled as she took the bar. "Thank you."

"Sure."

Both girls were unsure how to act when they were so familiar with each other but also at the same time so unfamiliar.

The awkward atmosphere was broken by Alex's ringing phone.

"Hello?" Alex answered quickly without even checking the caller.

"Vauseyy, how are you?"

Alex smiled as she recognized her best friends voice. "Nicky, hey."

"Look, I was wondering if it would be okay for me and Lorna to come for a quick visit soon?"

"You do realize that it's unpolite to ask 'how are you' and then not even letting the other answer", Alex chuckled.

Nicky huffed. "Well, I thought that you already knew that I'm not a polite person."

Alex laughed. "And here I was thinking you might have changed your habits. But to answer your second question, it's fine. When would you be coming?"

"There sure as hell will be lots of coming tonight because I've been two months clean now."

"I really am happy for you", Alex said as she glanced at Piper lovingly.

"Thanks. Me too. But I was thinking next Wednesday? Lorna's holiday starts then."

"That sounds like a plan. I might need to work at someday but you'll be fine without me for a while, right?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Great, see you then", Alex said, already excited to see Nicky and her new girlfriend.

"Yup, see ya!" Nicky said before disconnected the call.

"Is Nicky coming for a visit?" Piper asked curiously. She liked Nicky.

"Yeah, next Wednesday. She's also bringing her girlfriend with her."

Piper nodded. "Cool."

Polly was feeling a little uncomfortable between the two of them and slipped into the kitchen to drink another cup of coffee again.

"Nicky has been clean two months", Alex whispered as she kissed on top of Piper's head.

Piper blushed slightly. "It has been all her. I just... pointed out few things."

"Yeah, well, those few things were necessary for her to hear."

"Whatever", Piper waved off the topic as she opened the chocolate bar.

"So, your morning sickness doesn't include chocolate?" Alex asked amused.

"Firstly, I've been up for so long that the nausea has pretty much passed and secondly, you can't get sick from the chocolate!"

Alex chuckled. "Of course."

"Oh my god, Piper", Diane rolled her eyes as she saw Piper coming into the shop grinning widely. "What are you doing here?"

"What? I can't just enjoy your fascinating company as I wait for Alex?"

Diane chuckled. "Very funny."

"I know", Piper stated smirking.

"You've been pretty tight with Alex the last couple of days", Diane noted, carefully checking Piper's reaction. After the panic attack, Piper had been almost clingy which was very unlike her.

Piper tensed briefly before relaxed again. "Yeah, well... yeah. Anyways I needed a new book, so I figured I could time my visit at the same time as Alex comes to pick you up."

Diane examined Piper for a while before sighed. "Okay."

Piper fidgeted under Diane's gaze before nodded awkwardly and went between shelves to find a book. She wasn't lying about that, she really could use a new book. Maybe a fantasy book this time? She was kind of sick with the history at the moment since her own was bothering her so much.

When Piper had chosen a book, All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders, she went to pay her book. Diane just rolled her eyes, not even bothering anymore to try to get Piper just take it for free.

Almost immediately Alex walked in. "Hey. Oh, Piper. Aren't you supposed to be on a vacation?"

"I am. I just came to buy a new book", Piper responded, waving the book to emphasize her point. She went to hug Alex and Alex opened her arms, letting the other girl hug her tightly.

Piper relaxed in Alex's arms like she was able to relax only in Alex's presence. Which was partially true. Piper also wasn't afraid to show her affection towards Alex anymore in front of Diane. The dream really had put things in a different perspective for her.

Alex placed a sweet kiss on top of Piper's head before they pulled apart. Alex took in Piper's tired eyes and wondered how many hours of sleep Piper had exactly gotten in these couple of days.

"Do you want to come with us?" Alex asked, kind of pleased with Piper's clingy behavior as she could keep an eye on Piper and to be sure she wasn't suffering from other panic attacks.

Piper shook her head, not wanting to be that girlfriend who stole all of Alex's free time. Also, she was still slightly terrified that Alex would get tired of her. "Nah, I just came to say hi."

"Okay then."

And just because it could never be plain and simple, Jessica walked in, smirking like she knew something she shouldn't have. What surprised them all, even more, Polly came right after Jessica, trying, but failing to hide her smile which brought Piper flashbacks of the face Polly had made as Piper first time heard a rumor about herself.

Piper instantly thought the worst but masked her feelings behind sass. "I should've known that you wouldn't keep your word on not coming here again."

"I might not keep my words but at least I know who I am dating", Jessica smirked smugly.

Piper furrowed her eyebrows. "What?"

Jessica's smile vanished a little before she tried again. "You know... Larry?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about", Piper informed her with raised eyebrows, now mostly amused.

Alex and Diane watched the scene unfolding in front of them interested. They had no idea what Jessica was talking about but Polly seemed to know, judging by the amount of effort she had to put on to stop herself laughing.

"Don't try to play stupid, Piper. Polly told me all about Larry and how you thought you were dating", Jessica declared, confused that Piper didn't seem to be affected by her knowledge unlike Polly had convinced her.

"What?" Piper laughed.

Polly couldn't help it anymore and just burst out of laughing. Jessica's face was priceless.

Jessica's face went deep red as she turned to glare Polly accusingly. "You lied!"

Piper had apparently caught Polly's ploy and was laughing loudly. "Oh my god."

Alex and Diane were still a little at a loss what was happening but were smiling amusedly at what was assumptively Jessica's failed attempt to embarrass Piper.

Jessica was so red that Piper was sure she would break into a fever soon. Jessica just glared at them all before stormed out of the shop with a final deathly look pointed towards Polly.

"Oh my god. How did that happen?" Piper asked Polly after they had got their laughter under control.

"When I went to get chocolate, I pumped into her and she asked me to help her to come up with a way to revenge your bitchiness towards her. Her goal wasn't to ruin your life..." Polly started to explain before trailing off. Her intention wasn't to ruin Piper's life either but ended up doing just that.

Piper seemed to catch Polly's train of thought and smiled reassuringly. "It's in the past Polls."

Polly nodded before continued. "Yeah, so she just wanted to do something small, like embarrassing you in front of Diane and Alex so I made up this story where you only thought you were dating Larry when he was just friend zoning you and I told her that you'd be furious if she knew about that."

"How did you manage to get her to believe it? And why on earth Larry?" Piper chuckled.

"She literally would have bought if I had told her you had a unicorn as long as the story was embarrassing. And Larry because... You mentioned that he had been here and I figured that Alex and Diane knew about him and wouldn't believe what Jessica said", Polly said, a little unsure how to explain to Piper that she had thought carefully what kind of false story she told, so it would cause zero harm to Piper. "Not that I thought you would have necessarily believed anything that came out of Jessica's mouth but just saved Piper the trouble of telling the real story", Polly added, now directed towards Alex and Diane.

"You're a genius, Polly. It was hilarious", Piper grinned.

"I thought so", Polly smiled, kind of proud of her cleverness.

"You know that she's brooding revenge right now?" Alex chuckled.

"I don't care. She doesn't have enough brain cells to do more than at most annoy me", Piper said. "But this was clever. You can't deny it."

"It was", Alex said smiling amusedly and sending an approving nod to Polly. It was good to know she really was on Piper's side.

Thanks for reading! Please review and tell me what you thought. I'm afraid this story won't continue long anymore since I've kind of run out of ideas, but don't worry. I have already an idea for my next story ;) Anyway, for those who have hoped to see more Nicky, she'll appear in the next chapter... I'll try to be on time next time :) Love you for your patience and encouraging reviews.

-Iina