Chapter 21

Piper woke with a start. It wasn't in the middle of the night….it wasn't a nightmare….she woke because she missed the warmth next to her. She felt groggy from the pill she took and her mouth felt a cat had a litter of kittens on her tongue. She reached to the empty spot next to her, she began to remember that there was supposed to be a person there. Not just any person, but her Alex. She rubbed her eyes and fought back tears.

It had been a dream. Neri or Cal had snuggled up to her to keep her warm and help her sleep through the night. Her drugged mind had put Alex in place of the soft pillow she usually held so close. Piper couldn't help the sob that escaped...she curled up into a ball and let the despair wash all over her. Of course she wasn't there! She was locked away someplace awful awaiting the trial.

Piper was crying so hard she didn't hear the bathroom door open and close. "Hey hey, what's wrong, Pipes? Are you hurt? Oh fuck baby, did you tear your stitches?" Piper turned her red face out of her folded arms as the bed shifted with Alex's weight as she leaned over PIper to try and see if she was bleeding.

"Alex? You're real? You're really here? I woke up and you weren't-"

"Fuck, I'm sorry Pipes, I tried to hold it but I really had to hit the head...I so wanted you to wake up in my arms," Alex said with obvious disappointment. PIper wiped her eyes and sat up some in the bed.

"Okay, let's do it again," she said sheepishly and pulled Alex down with her again. She moved over and slipped perfectly into her arms. She nuzzled Alex's neck and inhaled the sweet lovely scent of her love. Alex laughed and held PIper close, relaxing as soon as her arms closed about Piper.

"You sure you're not hurt?"

"Shhh...I'm sleeping," Piper told her with a hushed voice. Alex laughed again and the sound made Piper's pulse speed up. She didn't stay still though. Alex's hands ran up and down Piper's back, stroking softly. She seemed to be checking her with her hands, trying to make sure PIper was there and alright. PIper realized she'd do the same thing if it had been her that watched Alex be taken away to the hospital after finding her on the floor in a pool of her own blood. After many minutes, Piper stretched as if just waking up and leaned back to look into the green eyes before her.

"Good morning...and before I say anything else, I want you to know I love you," PIper whispered softly as she kissed her soundly on the lips. Alex responded and as PIper reached up she felt the wetness on her lover's face. Alex had been crying while holding her so close. Piper swallowed back her own emotional tears.

"Oh God, I love you Piper Elizabeth Chapman. I can't believe I can hold you...I can't believe you're safe. I think I aged ten years worrying about you," Alex said through sniffles. PIper wiped her eyes as she pulled back and smiled at her.

"Ditto...well once I regained consciousness. It was pretty bad there for a bit. I woke up in my brother's hospital in the City. I was so worried about you...finally Cal told me that you came by his apartment-"

"One he moved from! I looked everywhere for you...I even tried to find your parents in Connecticut...but I heard you on the radio, contacted the editor of the online magazine and once I explained that you wanted to see me, she gave me your address. It took me three long damn days!"

PIper kissed her forehead and pressed hers forward against Alex's to calm her. She knew it must have been frantic. She could tell that Alex had lost weight as they pressed forward. She guessed she had as well….she didn't look at the doctor's office but they were concerned about her diet. "I have to go to the bathroom...do NOT go anywhere! Understood? I have a ton of questions for you and I want answers...and I want to get lost in you, so ..don't move...okay?" Piper said as she started to get out from under her warm covers.

Alex stretched out. "Oh I love this bed! I'll stay right here, waiting for you." PIper smiled as she got up and practically ran to the bathroom. On the toilet she peed so fast it reminded her of the ConAir trip she took. She looked in the mirror after washing up and was appalled at how bad she looked. She quickly brushed her teeth and hair then hurried back to her room. She stopped when she saw Alex in her bed. Her lovely eyes were closed but Piper drank in her form. She was gaunt and lean looking. Her skin was pale and she was the most beautiful person Piper had ever laid her eyes on.

"Done pervin'?"

Piper grinned. "Never….you're too beautiful not to stare at all the time," she said as she jumped back on the bed. Alex laughed and cuddled her close. Piper could tell from her expression that she didn't feel beautiful after her experience in prison.

"Time for some answers," Piper said softly. " How are you here? How is it safe? I mean I have security-"

"There is no need to worry. Kubra will never hurt us again," Alex said softly.

"How can you say that Alex? He sent assassins into the prison!" Piper exclaimed. She was so overwhelmed and relieved to see Alex that she had pushed her fear aside. It seemed dim in the bright morning light on Alex's face. Yet now the fear coursed through her.

Alex stroked her face as she spoke, "No, listen to me PIper….he's dead okay? They went to arrest him and apparently they walked in on a deal. The buyer thought it was a set up and shot him dead….most of his crew too before they were taken out by the cops. No one left holds a grudge against me."

"He's dead? It's over?...I don't have to testify, you don't have to testify!" PIper said suddenly elated and she didn't feel one iota of remorse over that awful man's death. He was a murderer and she was glad he was out of their reality.

"Testify..no...and that lawyer you pointed me towards made sure my deal worked no matter the outcome," Alex explained.

Piper heard her mention a deal and her stomach turned. "What deal did you get? You're completely free, like before?"

Alex stroked her face gently then shook her head. "No...not yet. I have to report to weekend jail this Friday. I have it for twelve weekends, then I'm on parole for two years," Alex told her softly. Piper knew it was better than going back to prison full time but she hated the idea that Alex would be spending anytime in jail.

"How does that work?"

Alex sat up some in the bed and leaned back against the headboard. She pulled Piper's head to her lap and played with her hair. PIper was about to repeat her question when Alex spoke. "I report to the facility at 5PM on Friday and I get out at 5PM on Sunday. I'll will be at the minimum security women's facility at Rikers." Piper clutched to her. She didn't want Alex anywhere near Rikers. As an activist for Criminal Justice reform, she knew that facility should be shut down completely. "Oh baby, no no no….they beat prisoners there to 'set the tone"...people go months, years without a trial!"

"Shhh Piper it is only for a few months and I'm not going to be in the men's facility except for R&D each week. My lawyer said that I'll probably spend most of my time in a holding cell, if not the whole weekend. I've been there Pipes, I can survive it," she assured her.

"You came from there with a black eye, looking like shit! I remember...it broke my heart to see you...I knew it was all my fault," Piper sniffed back her tears. She knew there wasn't anything she could do about it. It was a good deal and she should be thankful that Alex will be free during the week.

"Hush, we fucked our way through that, no sense rehashing. I have to get a job soon and report to my parole officer each week," Alex added. Piper knew she was a long way from being free of the system. It was a good deal but she couldn't help her anxiety. She asked Alex where they held her. She told Piper she was in the SHU but in a different facility. This one was in Connecticut called Danbury. She explained that she stayed at Litchfield under close watch until they had the phone in hand, then she was moved at night to Danbury. Piper started to cry and said she was sorry for Alex having to wait in SEG but she dismissed her crying and told her it was alright because she knew she'd be getting out and that made it bearable.

She sat up and wiped her eyes some. Alex smiled at her and she lost her breath for a second. Piper straddled her immediately and took Alex's face in her hands. She kissed her then, softly but soon it grew into a terrible hunger. Her lover brought her hands up under Piper's t-shirt and expertly cupped her breasts. Her nipples reacted, growing stiff and erect, turning upward begging to be touched and sucked. Piper pulled at Alex's shirt and stopped kissing her just long enough to pull it over her head. It was frantic, like when they would hate fuck in the library. She to be inside of Alex so much she could think of little else. Piper kneaded her love's breasts and ran her palms over her taut nipples. Alex started to moan and scooted down in the bed, so Piper was on top of her. She held herself off of her for a moment and looked down at her.

"I fucking need you Alex...I need to be inside of you.." Piper said in a deep voice that was so filled with lust that she didn't recognize her own voice. She kissed her neck and pushed and pulled at Alex's pants button. Alex wiggled and pushed trying to get them down for her.

"It makes me miss the trash bag," Piper growled out.

Alex laughed as her pants finally came down. The laughter died in her throat as Piper quickly kissed lower and licked up her sex with a flat tongue, tasting the need that erupted from Alex when they touched.

" Oh fuck Pipes," she murmured. She delved in then, using her tongue to lap and flick, tease and drive her insane. It had been so long since she had tasted her that Piper felt the tears on her cheeks mix with Alex's wetness. Her lover's head twisted back and forth as Piper teased, pushed and kept her on the precipice of ecstasy. Finally she growled out and reached down to push Piper's face in more so she could grind her orgasm. It was then that Piper pulled her face back and pushed three fingers into her. Alex was so tight but wet enough PIper knew she didn't hurt her. Alex screamed out her name and Piper moved with her as she convulsed with pleasure. She pushed Alex to come again and bent to suck in Alex's swollen clit. This made her come again and Piper lapped and lapped at the buffet of wonderful before her face.

Eventually, Alex made mewing sounds that Piper was used to making when her magic lips and tongue tackled Piper's sensitive clit. She kissed up her body and pulled her close to sooth away the shivers. Alex kissed Piper and immediately brought her hand down to Piper's soaked center. She stroked her expertly and within a few talented moves of her fingers, PIper came hard on her hand, groaning into her neck. They held each other for so long.

"I think I like our love sex, much better than our hate sex, " Piper observed. Alex agreed. They fell back to sleep then for a short while, holding each other close. It was hunger that woke Piper. Alex's stomach was growling. She opened her eyes at the sound and Alex blushed.

"I think I need to feed you," Piper replied to her stomach with a smile.

"I know exactly what I want to eat…" Alex said in that low thick voice that literally made Piper moan. Alex started to kiss her when they heard a knock at the door.

"Okay you two, brunch is downstairs and we really can't wait anymore for answers," Cal called from behind the door. Piper was suddenly NOT happy to have them for roommates.

"Okay, we'll be down in a minute," she answered. She looked at Alex and blushed. "I'm sorry, they're staying here with me until their house is finished. I..couldn't let my newborn niece live in a half finished house."

"Aunt Piper...wow," Alex said with a grin. Piper smiled back. She really did love that little girl. Piper tried to pull Alex into the shower when they went to wash up. "No, we are not making them wait while we fuck in the shower, Pipes."

"Who said anything-"

"Kid, we always fuck in the shower….and I promise I will do just that as soon as we finish playing nice with your family. I met Neri under crazy circumstances and now you've a new family member for me to meet...I don't want to meet them still vibrating from your talented touch," Alex explained. PIper nodded at her in the mirror then let her use her toiletries to get ready. Alex always made her feel like she was so good in bed. Larry loved it as well but he was a guy and they love you if you just suck them regularly.

They came downstairs holding hands. Piper didn't want to let go of her. It is like she was walking in a dream. She smiled at her brother as she entered her kitchen and sat at the bar. Neri was holding Danielle feeding her a bottle. The brunch had homemade waffles, eggs, bacon, juice and fruit. Piper made Alex sit down and started to make her a waffle with blueberries. She got her scrambled eggs (Alex's favorite) and chose over medium for herself. Once she had a full plate, they all sat together. Neri had already nibbled so she could feed her daughter. She was trying to get her to feed from a bottle rather than her nipple as her nipples were very sore for her first attempts. She was fussy so Piper wasn't surprised when Neri whipped out her boob and started to feed her child. Alex averted her eyes and blushed some, but said nothing.

"Okay, so we've waited to find out what was in that bear...so what was in that bear?" Cal asked….Piper had given him some details but mostly she didn't explain. She didn't want to take the chance he'd be implicated if it all went wrong

"Well, it was a phone. Long ago, I witnessed a crime-"

"No...no need for that here baby. She didn't witness it, I did. Right before I left Alex in Europe, we were out at a club and Alex went home around 2AM- I witnessed Kubra-"

"He is the scary guy that we've hired the security over?" Cal asked.

PIper nodded and didn't correct him yet about Kubra being dead. "Yeah, I saw him take a dancer to her dressing room and during a hard fuck...he...broke her neck." Piper swallowed again and the image flashed in her mind.

"I saw the video. I had to act like….fuck Pipes...why didn't you tell me?"

"What would you have done? He had no idea I saw it….Fahri didn't know I saw it. Why should I put you in that position?" PIper asked.

"Were you scared I'd tell Kubra you saw it?" Alex asked quietly. Piper didn't respond right away. Alex dropped her gaze.

"So go on...how did it end up in a bear and why did Alex bring the cops to get it?" Neri prodded. Piper was happy to move on with the story.

"I videotaped it when Alex's phone. She had taken mine back to the hotel and I had hers. Kubra didn't like it when they misplaced their phones, so he didn't know Alex left her phone and when I hid it afterwards because it was evidence, Alex didn't tell him- she just replaced her phone that day. I put it in the bear that Alex got me when I got home that night...I hid her charger too- she blamed it all on housekeeping. I put it in the bear and the bear in my suitcase zipper pocket," Piper shared softly. Alex pushed her glasses up and leaned back, her breakfast was only half eaten.

"So, when we were in Litchfield together, Kubra sent a few men to kill me. Piper devised a plan- it was moved up I think because of her attack. She left me a detailed letter that explained what happened that night and where I could find the bear with the phone inside. She thought of everything- how I could say I hid it in her bear and she took it with her when she left. She told me to tell them that I didn't know she had the bear until we got closer while in solitary together. Once I was let out, I contacted my lawyer- told her I had evidence of Kubra committing murder in France- and she did the rest. I was pulled out to take them to the evidence, after I signed a plea deal. The video was grainy- old but you could clearly see Kubra and that girl...Pipes musta been within seven feet of them at the bathroom door," Alex shivered all over.

"Yeah, I went back to pee and saw him with her...I watched, thinking he had lots to drink and ya know…...I just held up your phone and took the video, then as soon as he realized she was dead...I faded back into the shadows and walked out like nothing had happened. Fahri went back inside and then he put me in a cab back to the hotel. I guess they covered it up….I don't know. They acted like nothing was wrong the next morning and I took their lead," Piper answered.

Neri pulled Danielle up and started to burp her as she probed, "So Piper used her evidence to get you out of prison and put the guy away that was trying to kill you. You were both going to testify, just Piper switched roles….because you didn't really see anything?"

Alex took Piper's hand and squeezed, " Yes, I put her in situations where she was starved, beaten and stabbed- and she found a way to get me out of it all."

"I got you back there Alex, I owed it to you. I got you beaten and nearly killed because I put you back in prison-"

"No Pipes, he would have killed me on the outside...I survived because I was inside and had people watching out for me...literally all of you saved my ass the night the guy came to our bunk," Alex explained. Cal went off! He had no idea about the attempts on Alex's life and wanted to know it all. So they told him all of it. The juice turned into mimosas by the end of it and Alex sipped hers with relish.

"What about now? Do I need to add more security?" He looked over at Danielle as she fell to sleep in her mother's arms.

"No, he is dead. He was killed when they went to arrest him. I've been assured no one is after me….I wish I had that doorman at my building still, but everything should be alright," Alex answered.

"Fuck that...Fuck waiting and taking time, move in with me ASAP Alex. I have more than enough room for all of us, I love you more now than I did when we were younger and I want you safe with me. I'll sleep better….you'll sleep better. So what do you say?"

Alex blinked a bit taken back. "I have my apartment in Queens, the rent was paid till-"

"So, we'll keep it until the lease runs out and move all your stuff into here...I'll get your items out of storage in Vermont as well," Piper said.

Alex looked uncomfortably around at her family and Piper knew she was putting her on the spot, " Are you sure you want to live with me? I mean….we did when we traveled but you never wanted your family to-"

Piper kissed her mid-sentence. "I have lunch with my mother tomorrow, I'll tell her that the love of my life is moving in with me. They all know about you now Alex, I'm not hiding anymore."

"She has been very vocal about loving you. Her mother and father have to deal or she'd be happy to send them packing," Neri offered. Piper nodded and smiled at her sister-in-law. Alex looked over at Cal and his face was impassive.

"Look Alex, I'm a father now. Usually, I'd say to each his or her own- but you gotta promise me you will not get my sister involved in anymore illegal stuff. Same to you Pipes, no more illegal underwear scams, I don't think my heart could take it," he warned.

Alex nodded at his words as Piper glared at him and tossed her napkin at his head. "Ya know, if we do break the law, it is on US not you. Besides, I got money now so I can hire us a good lawyer."

"Did the soap thing pay off?" Alex inquired with an amused expression. Piper shook her head and grinned.

"Grandmother left Piper her money and this place," Cal explained. Alex's eyebrow shot up and Piper grinned.

Neri went on to explain how much volunteer work and donations Piper is making to her organizations. "She has been on NPR and asked to speak all over." Alex said she heard her when she got out and that is how she tracked her down. She told them her side of things, where she'd been and how her deal was conceived. Piper was getting tired after the long talk and stopped the questions to pull Alex up and to go upstairs with her. She hadn't responded positively to Piper's proposal that they move in together and it was messing with her.

They walked into her bedroom and Piper closed the door….then locked it...then unlocked it. She did it four times before she growled at herself and turned around. Alex was standing in her bedroom, looking at her with a strange expression. She ran her hands down her thighs nervously. "I know I pushed you, I'm sorry. You probably want your own space-"

"Oh please Pipes, I would much rather live here with you than alone in Queens. I fucking love you and if you want me around all the time then who am I to argue? It seems I'll be a kept woman...and I can't really tell if I like it. I know I'm going to like enable you and be sappy... and visa versa. I just don't fucking care. I get the lock by the way...you don't want to be disturbed but hate the idea of sleeping in a locked room," Alex explained in a clear voice. She betrayed her own fear by pushing up her glasses and clutching her long arms around her midriff.

Piper walked over to her lover and pressed close. "I can loan you some clothes for a few days and we can go to your place to get the rest before Friday. Um..I can take you and pick you up….I'll get a car service," she explained. She was determined to be alright with Alex going to Riker's on the weekends. What choice did she have for the next four months?

"You're clothes will not fit me...and we can go tomorrow. You can see my shit hole in Queens," Alex said with a smile. Piper smiled back and then they kissed. It was sweet, yet heated with the unmistakable lust that permeates between them. She needed Alex and Alex needed her. Piper didn't know what their future held but she knew that they were going to give it their best try.

"I can't believe you're here and we are free of Kubra," Piper whispered when they pulled away and touched their foreheads together tenderly.

"Well, I am here kid. I did what you asked me to, I never gave up...it was hard not to..my inner demons told me you were dead or had moved on...yet I didn't give up. I gave you my word and I stuck to it," Alex said in a tone that let Piper know exactly how hard it had been.

"You did great and I promise to help you through the rest of your sentence. I give you my word that I'll stick around this time Alex," Piper promised. She didn't give it a qualifier like 'as long as you don't go back to crime'. She didn't think Alex would and if she did, well Piper would make sure she didn't get caught. She was in it for the long haul this time.

Alex pulled her closer and Piper nuzzled into her neck. She felt Alex kiss her right behind her ear and smiled. She fucking loved it when she did that. "You're the best fucking thing that ever happened to me. I don't know why or how we found each other but you're stuck with me this time Piper."

"Never Give up," Piper whispered to her, not sure Alex would hear.

Her lover held her more tightly and said confidently, "Yes, I promise, I'll never give up on us." Piper felt a warmth seep into her body from her head down. She radiated with something she could barely identify as security, hope and love. They weren't perfect and both of them still had trials and tribulations to go. Yet, in that moment, Piper felt all those wonderful feelings and that was the most precious gift she'd ever received.

The End

*** Thanks for sticking with me and "Never Giving Up". It was harder to write this story due to real life restrictions and I think the source material for the season lacked inspiration. Also, the fan fic storyline still bothers me and I'm not sure if it is was just for laughs or laughing at the fic writers themselves. I don't think that is a smart move for the show as they go one year between any new episodes and Fanfic keeps people interested. Thank you to darling Phantom, my precious SG-Bassren, GD Dryer (I have no idea what happened to that other story, sorry), qtjen, ana0812, that fantastic Chyna Deveroux, Clarice91, OzisOz, mielsita, my buddy- FFchik and all the Guest posters for your reviews of the last and prior chapters. I hope NGU was inspiring and helps you with the time we have left waiting. I will not make this story a trilogy. I will perhaps write a few One Shots as we get closer to the release date. I did a one shot for POI recently and I liked it. Peace to all of you and thank you for reading. Fae***