A/N: Thank you all so much for your response to the previous chapter! I appreciate your comments so much; you have no idea! I must apologize again for the long delay in getting this posted. I do my best to find time to write during the semester, but unfortunately, it has proven difficult. As the semester winds down, I finally have some time I can devote to writing so here is chapter 8! I hope this chapter makes up for the delay at least a little bit! I am still thinking there is one more chapter left (and maybe an epilogue).

Enjoy!

Chapter 8

Piper's tennis shoe clad feet pounded hard against the moving belt of the treadmill. Running certainly cleared her mind. She thought maybe it was the cadence of it all, her measured breathing joining with her rhythmic footfalls, heart pumping in tandem. Each piece an instrument creating a symphony of tranquility in her mind. A symphony only for her.

Usually, her mind-clearing runs were a good thing. Usually, she was able to organize her thoughts and resolve her problems. Today, unfortunately, it just made her overreaction the previous night even more clear.

Yanking an earbud from her ear, she turned her face to the neighboring treadmill. "I really fucked up," she panted, keeping her pace.

Polly's eyes met hers and she gave her a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad, Piper."

Piper shook her head. "No, Polly." She panted, red-faced. "It was. I'm sure Alex thinks I'm psychotic now. She'll probably never speak to me again." She laughed in a self-deprecating way, "I mean, I cried for godsakes." She shook her head and jabbed her finger against a button on the screen of the treadmill, upping her speed, really pushing herself. She sprinted for a few minutes in silence, and Polly turned her attention back to the Fixer Upper episode playing on the TV mounted to the wall in front of them.

When her legs threatened to give out, she turned the speed down to a brisk walk. Turning back to Polly, she said, "You know that feeling you get when things go the exact opposite way that you had envisioned them going? I mean, I was so sure that last night's date was going to be the start of something. I think maybe just the shock and disappointment of hearing about that stupid rule, like, made me snap or something."

"You're an emotional person, Pipe," Polly said with a knowing smile and a shrug. "And Lord knows you've been stressing over this thing with Alex all semester. It honestly doesn't surprise me that you finally imploded. I mean, she was totally playing games with you. You were almost always unsure about where you stood with her, and whenever you thought you knew how she felt, she'd do something to leave you feeling uncertain again. You really shouldn't take all the blame, here. She should have been up front with you from the beginning."

Piper sighed, turning her head away from Polly to face forward once again. "Well, she finally was last night. I mean, I didn't even let her finish whatever she was trying to say. She admitted to having feelings for me, but the thing that I chose to focus on is the fact that there's a rule out there keeping us from being together. And now that I've had some distance from the whole situation, time to really think about it, it doesn't even seem like that big of a deal. Would it really be that hard to wait one more semester to be together? We would at least be friends and still be able to see each other and hang out. Now, I've totally ruined any chance I ever had. Not to mention her fucking career is at stake, here. I mean, I would hate myself if I was the reason she lost her spot in the graduate program."

As Piper ranted, Polly could tell that she finally got it. She had finally put everything together and knew what she wanted, knew what Alex was worth to her, understood why Alex had been holding back, really got it. But, truth be told, she was worried her friend had screwed things up beyond fixing.

However, being a good friend meant always staying positive, supportive. She slowed the speed on her treadmill to match Piper's and replied, "Maybe just give her some space and let things settle. All you can do at this point is apologize and let her know where you were coming from. You understand what was motivating her behavior, but she still might not get why you reacted the way you did last night, which I still think was a valid reaction after everything she's put you through. Maybe slightly over-the-top, but still. Also, what's up with that Silvie chick? Last night, you said you thought there was still something going on between them?"

Piper nodded her head, coming to a stop as her running program ended. She grabbed her towel and dabbed at the perspiration that had accumulated near her hairline and on her chest. "No, I think I was just reading into things because I was so emotional. I think they're over. Alex never seems happy when she's around. I just jumped to conclusions because Alex lied to her, but I think that had more to do with the rule. But anyway, I think you're right. I think we both need a little space and I really need to focus on finals and A Streetcar Named Desire. We open this weekend and things are crazy at rehearsals right now. I can't be worrying about Alex right now."

Even as the words left her mouth, she knew that was easier said than done.

"Come on, Vause! It'll be fun."

Alex rolled her eyes, swiveling around in her desk chair. "I didn't know you were into theater."

Nicky shrugged. "Well, I'm not really. But Lorna really wants to go and Christopher," she said his name in a high-pitched whiny voice punctuated with a dramatic eye roll, "loved theater too. So, I have to go; I can't give her any reason to miss that asshole."

"It's a university production of A Streetcar Named Desire? You know it's going to suck, right?" Alex said with a husky laugh.

Nicky shrugged and said, "At least it's free, and it's something to do. You need to get your mind off Piper, and who knows? It might be more fun than you expect. Poussey and Taystee said they might tag along. We could all go for a drink after or something. You've been brooding since Tuesday. Come on, your friends miss you."

So, that was how Alex found herself seated in the scratchy, worn down chairs in the small university theater on a Friday night, Nicky, Lorna, Taystee, and Poussey seated to her right, and a stranger seated much too close for comfort to her left. She flipped half-heartedly through the small program, before setting it aside to check her email before the play started. She passively listened as Lorna expressed her excitement to Nicky, and Nicky shifted to place her arm around Lorna's shoulders. The dark haired girl couldn't help but smile at her friend's happiness.

As the lights went down, Alex switched her phone to silent mode and settled in to watch what she was sure to be a disaster. She leaned in closer to Nicky's side, ready to provide a mocking commentary of the production as a few of the actors entered onto the stage.

As the stage lights came on, Alex's eyes found her standing near the back of the set dressed in 1940s period clothing. The scene began, and it seemed as though Piper wasn't one of the major characters, just a member of the ensemble who meandered around the back of the painted town, pretending to peruse fruit being sold by an outdoor vendor and engaging in a silent conversation with another extra. Alex didn't hear what was said as Stanley threw a meat package at Stella, or when Blanche arrived and spoke to Eunice. Her full attention was on the blonde in the background, who was now placing a shiny apple into her burlap bag with a smile on her face.

"Psst…" Nicky's elbow nudged into her arm. "Is that Piper?"

Alex nodded, meeting Nicky's eyes briefly.

"Did you know she was in this?" Nicky asked in a loud, raspy whisper.

Alex shook her head and whispered back, "I had no clue."

The people seated in the row behind them shushed them loudly. Nicky rolled her eyes, and turned in her seat to give them a pointed look, while zipping her lips with her fingers.

Alex focused once again on the action of the show. They were now inside Stella's apartment, so Piper was no longer in the scene. The dark-haired girl tried to pay attention to the plot, but she found her attention being drawn to Piper whenever she was on stage and her thoughts dominated by her when she wasn't.

After the last scene, one where Piper had had a more featured roll of the nurse who helps take Blanche away, the house lights came on, and the cast entered the stage one at a time for curtain call. Piper entered with the other members of the ensemble after each of the main characters had received their applause. As Piper made her way to the front of the stage, Alex couldn't explain the swell of pride she felt for the younger girl. She looked so radiant, cheeks flushed, eyes bright and shining, smile stretched from ear to ear. Alex joined the myriad of other theater patrons on their feet to give the cast a standing ovation.

Following curtain call, Piper quickly made her way down the hall to the group dressing room to change and gather her things. Polly and Pete were in the audience tonight, and she was supposed to meet them in the lobby for a late congratulatory dinner.

She entered the lobby and quickly glanced around, scanning for her friend. Her eyes didn't find Polly, so she leaned against one of the brick walls and pulled out her phone to scroll through Instagram while she waited, assuming Polly had had to use the restroom after the show.

A throat cleared. Then, "So, Miss Overachiever is an actress as well? I shouldn't be surprised."

Piper's head shot up when she heard that familiar raspy voice and her surprised eyes connected with Alex's mischievous ones. She blushed slightly, memories of Tuesday night rushing back to her. "I didn't know you were coming," she said carefully.

Alex barked out a laugh. "I didn't know you were gonna be in it or I would have told you!"

Piper shrugged and blushed, "Well, I didn't really have much of a role."

Alex narrowed her eyes playfully and shook her head once. "Don't do that. You were great. Seriously. Stole the show."

Piper let out a laugh, "Uh huh, yeah. I used a lot of creative license for the role of the nurse. They really let me run with it, make it my own. You know, I'm really glad I had the chance to play such an iconic role."

Alex just laughed at her sarcasm.

Piper really didn't know how she always remained so calm. Standing here talking to Alex after everything that had happened last Tuesday left Piper feeling awkward and on edge. But Alex looked totally cool and collected, still smiling at Piper, but seemingly not feeling the same urge Piper did to fill in the silence.

"So, um." Piper began, breaking eye contact to look at her feet. "I'm sorry about Tuesday, the way I reacted. I was just surprised." Her eyes met Alex's again.

Alex shook her head, "No, I get it. I'm sorry I had to spring all that on you. I'm sure there was a better way to bring it up, I just didn't know how."

Piper's phone chimed in her hand. She glanced down at it, but chose to ignore it, feeling like there was more to be said. "I totally understand what's at stake for you here. I was hoping that maybe we could still be friends, you know, maybe grab a coffee together every once in a while? Then, once I graduate, maybe we can revisit all this? See how we both feel at that point?"

Alex was surprised by how mature Piper was being, but they had both had time to think about everything. Hearing Piper say this was a relief for sure, but also a disappointment. Alex didn't know if she wanted, or even if she could, wait that long. This week had been awful, and tonight, just seeing Piper on stage and talking to her now was enough to make it all better. Could she handle being just friends with Piper until May?

She honestly didn't know, but she knew she'd try. She reached out and ran her hand down Piper's sweater clad arm, linking their fingers together. "I'd like that a lot, Pipes."

Piper beamed up at her, and it was difficult for Alex not to lean in and press their lips together. Before she had much time to dwell on that, Piper's phone chimed again, and Piper broke eye contact. "It's probably Polly. We're supposed to grab dinner tonight."

She released Alex's hand to reply to the message that was indeed from Polly.

Piper smiled apologetically. "I should probably go. They're waiting outside."

Even after their reassurances of friendship, Alex couldn't help feeling like this moment seemed heavy, like more of a permanent goodbye rather than an 'I'll see you later.' She replied, "Okay. Good luck on your finals if I don't see you."

Piper smiled mischievously, "I just might drop by your office hours one last time before Heely's final."

"Yes, please do. I miss you pretending not to know anything just as an excuse to come see me." Alex cackled.

Piper's eyes opened wide and her mouth dropped open. The blush that swept across her face was telling enough to confirm Alex's suspicion that she had been faking her need for help all along.

The blonde quickly gained her composure and replied, "Don't pretend you didn't love it. The one time I didn't show up you sent me an e-mail saying you missed me!'

Alex rolled her eyes playfully. "I did no such thing."

Piper smirked and said, "Well, not exactly. But you did. Miss me." Piper's eyes held hers shyly, looking for reassurance that she didn't make up or misinterpret everything between them.

Piper watched as Alex nodded, surprised to see a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "I did," she confirmed softly.

They smiled at each other for a moment longer, then Piper sighed and gestured toward the door. "I really should go."

Alex nodded, waving slightly as Piper rushed out.

The following night at curtain call, as Piper's eyes skimmed over the faces in the crowd, she was surprised to see those familiar green eyes lock with hers, streaks of blue hair amidst jet black strands catching the lights from the stage.

Alex shifted her laptop from her legs to the coffee table in front of her, standing to fetch a beer from the kitchen of her tiny apartment. She heaved out a sigh, pissed that she was home grading assignments at midnight on a Saturday night instead of out with her friends.

It was really her own fault. She'd been mopey since "the incident" (as she was referring to it in her head) with Piper on Tuesday and had put these assignments off until now. Assignments Heely apparently needed graded by Monday. So, she had begrudgingly resigned herself to a weekend of grading, forgoing the idea of any fun plans with Nicky.

Luckily though, she was feeling much more upbeat after her brief conversation with Piper the previous night after seeing her in the play. It seemed like they might actually be on the same page, which gave Alex hope that they could work this all out. And Alex really wanted it all to work out.

She returned to her seat on the couch when her phone alerted her to a new text message.

From Piper Chapman (12:13am): There's this show on TV that made me think of you

Alex smirked as she typed out a response.

To Piper Chapman (12:14am): Oh yeah?

She set the phone aside and pulled her computer back onto her lap. It wasn't long before Piper's response came through.

From Piper Chapman (12:16am): Gilmore Girls

Alex couldn't help barking out a laugh and scrunching her eyebrows perplexed.

To Piper Chapman (12:18am): Why did that make you think of me?

Alex returned to grading. Piper's response was so delayed, Alex was once again immersed in the assignments.

From Piper Chapman (12:33am): I guess I'm just always thinking of you. Come watch with me?

Alex stared at the message for a moment, mouth hanging open in surprise at Piper's candid response. She felt her stomach muscles flutter slightly, and a warm heat begin to build just below them.

There was no misinterpreting this. That message was a sincere admittance of Piper's feelings; she was putting it all out there. It was now up to Alex to decide. Was she willing to risk her education and career for this smart, silly, brave, hotheaded, and sometimes overly-emotional girl?

"Aw, fuck it." Alex muttered under her breath, smile quickly taking over her face.

To Piper Chapman (12:34am): I'll be over in 10

Piper's heart was racing. Alex was on her way over, and Piper was fairly certain this wasn't just a "two friends hanging out" sort of thing.

She had to give credit to the one and a half glasses of wine she'd drank after making it home from the play for giving her the courage she had needed to text Alex and daringly invite her over.

A knock sounded at the door just as the blonde had finished pulling a tight pair of skinny jeans over her legs. She gave herself a quick glance in the mirror and then rushed into the living room to get the door.

And there she was looking as gorgeous as ever. Piper had never seen the older girl with her hair up, but that must be how she wore it sometimes when she was relaxing by herself at home. Her thick dark locks made for an attractive messy bun, with the strands of blue peaking out in random places. She was wearing black leggings paired with a soft-looking oversized sweater.

"So, Gilmore Girls, huh?" Alex said with laughter in her voice, as Piper opened the door wider and motioned for her to enter.

Piper shrugged, some color rushing to her cheeks. "Hey! It was the only semi-decent thing on at midnight on a Saturday night."

Alex continued to stare at her with eyes narrowed in suspicion, one eyebrow raised in challenge.

"Okay, okay," Piper gave in with a laugh, "I like their witty banter! Sue me." She rolled her eyes, pushing Alex gently toward the couch. "Sit. Do you want some wine?"

Alex chuckled, happy that she had correctly guessed that Piper really did enjoy the show. "Wine sounds great."

"You know," Piper called to the living room from the kitchen as she poured a glass of wine for her guest, "Gilmore Girls really does remind me of you." She reappeared, noticing that Alex had situated herself sort of in the middle of couch and not off to one side. She smiled slightly, realizing this meant that they could sit closer together. "Lorelai and Rory's relationship kind of makes me think of you and your mom."

She handed Alex the glass, then took a seat next to her in the middle of couch, leaving enough space between them so that they didn't touch. Alex turned her body slightly, so that she was semi facing the blonde and shrugged her shoulders slightly. "I've never seen it."

Piper's eyes nearly bugged out of her head. "Are you serious? Oh my god Alex! You have to watch!"

Alex laughed at Piper, once again feeling that warmth spread through her abdomen. The wine probably had a small role in that, but she knew that just being in Piper's presence made her feel warm and happy. She was in trouble. "I thought that's why you invited me over! To watch, remember?"

Piper smiled a close-lipped smile, making her look prim and proper. Wine always made her feel a little silly. "As a matter of fact, I do remember." She giggled at herself, sipping again from her wine glass.

Alex had never seen the younger girl act so playful and carefree. It was taking the entirety of her self-restraint to keep herself from reaching out and pulling the blonde to her either to tickle her and make her giggle more or to kiss her senseless. Alex truly couldn't decide which option was more appealing.

"Welp," Piper said, sliding down slightly into the couch to get comfortable. "I guess that means we should start at the beginning." She exchanged her glass of wine for the remote control to select the pilot episode.

As the episode began to play, Alex also shifted down into the couch to get more comfortable. She leaned into Piper slightly, allowing their arms to touch from shoulder to elbow. She wasn't really surprised, but was still relieved when Piper didn't shift away from her touch, but leaned in to press more firmly against Alex's side.

They watched mostly in silence, with Piper adding in small comments here and there. A few minutes in, Piper moved to refill their wine glasses, telling Alex not to pause the show – she's seen it a million times.

When she returned with the freshly filled wine glasses, she plopped back down against Alex and turned her attention back to the screen. "Ugh, Dean. You'll probably hate him, but I think you'll like Jess if you keep watching. Jess is the best."

Alex made a small noise of agreement, but the darker haired girl was having a difficult time concentrating. Piper's head had fallen to rest on Alex's shoulder, and when she had sat back down, her shirt had gotten pushed up slightly, so that a strip of soft-looking, pale skin above her jeans was visible.

Her fingers itched to stroke it. She wondered how salty that strip of skin would taste under her tongue.

As if Piper could sense Alex's wondering thoughts, she turned her head toward Alex, eyelids drooping slightly from the wine and late hour. Their eyes met, and Piper could feel the intensity in Alex's dark gaze. Piper rubbed her nose softly against Alex's cheek and whispered, "I saw you in the audience again tonight."

Alex blushed, embarrassed. She hadn't expected Piper to see her out there again. She turned her head away from Piper's in an attempt to hide her embarrassment, wondering if she should deny that it was her. But Piper's fingers grazed softly down her arm, tangling their fingers together, tugging.

Alex turned to meet her eyes again. Piper's eyes were dark, pupils having expanded with desire. The darker haired girl's eyes briefly lowered, drawn to Piper's mouth as her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip. Piper breathed out, and waited for Alex's eyes to connect with hers again. Her lips turned up in the slightest smile as she whispered, "I thought it was really sweet."

Alex's eyes fluttered shut as Piper leaned closer still, tilting her head a little. Piper's lips pressed against Alex's, dried out slightly from the wine, but still so soft. Alex pushed closer, pressing their lips more firmly together, reaching her hand out to tease the strip of exposed skin that had been teasing her earlier.

The kiss soon progressed from soft and hesitant to needy and intense. Alex felt like all of her pent up emotions and frustrations in regards to her feelings for Piper finally had a method of release, through lips and teeth and tongue.

She pulled Piper's full lower lip in between her own and nipped gently at it with her teeth, allowing their tongues to meet a moment after releasing it. Piper made a noise in the back of her throat, something between a sigh and a moan and suddenly Alex needed to hear it again.

She tugged softly, but persistently, at Piper's hips, pulling the smaller girl over and onto her lap, so that one of Piper's knees rested on either side of Alex's thighs. Piper's fingers were woven into her hair, doing amazing things to her scalp, and her own fingers began to slip up under the hem of the blonde's shirt.

Finally, needing air, Piper pulled away slightly, keeping her forehead rested against Alex's. "Is this okay?" Piper asked breathless.

Alex nodded and leaned forward to peck Piper's lips softly. Piper was relieved that she hadn't misinterpreted the situation or what Alex's presence at the play again that night meant.

"What about the rule? Do you think you'll get in trouble?" Piper asked, shifting off of Alex's lap. She knew this was probably a conversation they should have before things went further, to make sure there was no confusion on either of their ends about what this meant for their relationship.

Alex sighed. "I really don't know. But it's worth the risk, Pipes. I want to be with you and I don't want to wait until May for that to happen."

The smile that stretched across Piper's cheeks and way her eyes sparkled with happiness was enough confirmation to Alex that she had made the right decision.

Piper's fingers wove together behind Alex's neck, yanking her forward for another kiss.

A/N: Please review and let me know what you think! You guys are the best! Thanks for hanging in there with me and this story!

-H.M. :)