Reaction: To the guest who thought something was off in Chapter 1 with Alex's shirt constantly changing on the dance floor. Thanks for pointing that out as it was definitely intentional and might be taken several ways. Piper could have been seeing Alex in every couple on the dance floor, or her eyes could be deceiving her altogether. She is fairly despondent and intoxicated as well. Also notice when she sees "Alex", the lights are always red.

A/N: Italics are thoughts or emphasis on thoughts. Bold italics are lyrics.

I text Nicky to see if she and Lorna want to hang tonight. I can't stand to be alone. It's been two weeks since Piper stormed out of the restaurant. My thoughts keep drifting back to that evening. It shouldn't have ended like this. It was far from my plan. All I wanted was a special evening to treat my girlfriend. Some time for us, but all of that was turned upside down.

I don't know how it got there, or what caused the sudden switch in mood but somehow we managed to start up an argument. Then there she was, the opposite side of the restaurant door. Breathing a different kind of air. I was speechless with shock. Hurt. That I didn't once lift my gaze to follow her. Losing my voice, I forgot to shout her. I fumbled for my wallet and threw way too much money on the table to cover the bill then went after her. But that didn't go to plan either because now here I am. Meeting Nicky and Lorna, and Lorna's mysterious out-of-town cousin.

God I hope this isn't a date. That was our thing, Piper and I. Double dating with Nicky and Lorna. I have to think of the positives and as much as I hate the fourth person not being Piper, at least this doesn't make me one of those depressive people that go out with their friends because they are hurt and lonely. But that is exactly what it is. I can't take the distance that is growing between us. I am lost and I am lonely.

I arrive at the club before Nicky and her crew to acquire a table. I drape my black leather jacket across the back of one of the chairs to make claim on the table and rush the bar. The first shot burns going down but I know my throat will adjust. I order another along with a bourbon chaser. Piper and I separated less than two weeks ago. Separated? It's just a break. Yet, two weeks have passed and I can only hope that she is coming back. My mind doesn't allow me to think of anything, but Piper. What is she doing? Who is she with? The more time we spend apart it seems the more the blonde beauty gets inside my head. Without her presence she still has this hold on me. But that is how it will always be. I have fallen. I need something to help me out of this misery.

To fill me with a replaceable energy.

To help me overcome the pain of missing my Piper.

To fill the burning hole in my chest.

Alcohol.

The Cure.

Three rounds down and I am already feeling another. Just as I am about to order again, out of the corner of my eye I spot a familiar shaggy head. It's instant, I turn around from my position at the bar waving my hand to catch the attention of the bushy haired friend of mine, Nicky. I keep my gaze towards door as she makes her way to me, closely behind her is Lorna followed by a red-head that I assume is her cousin. My heart aches some more, a small part of me had hoped that Piper would have walked through the door. For the first time, I really hoped that this had been a set up. The fourth person being Piper because they are her friends, too. At the realisation that those hopes will remain a dream, Nicky approaches me. Another shot is placed down.

Damn it feels good.

I block out Nicky's voice as we make our way back to the table, a drink in hand. I am bopping my head to the lyrics and beat of the sound as the alcohol kicks in. Slipping into the only available seat.

All my friends are wasted
And I hate this club

The lyrics of the song sink in, thinking of Piper. This song relates to me. The situation I am in. I hate this club, our club. A place that I share memories with Piper. Wanting to get those thoughts out of my head, yet here I am. At a place that encourages me to think of her.

Another shot appears at the table and I feel myself slipping into

Man I drink too much
Another Friday night I wasted

Alcohol.

The Cure.

But it doesn't drown out the thoughts. I tilt my head back as I feel the burn of the liquor.

My eyes are black and red
I'm crawling back to your bed

Piper's.

Do you get lonely?

Is Piper lonely?

Sure I get lonely some nights

All nights.

When the angels on my shoulder
Slump my head
I'm stuck here with the vultures
Hissing and circling
You didn't call me, call me, call me, call me
I'm crawling, I'm crawling, crawling, crawling back to you

She didn't call. She didn't text me. It's killing me. Fuck this respect shit. I want my girlfriend back. I'm waiting on her and I know she is waiting on me. But we are both too stubborn to make that call… I never knew I would miss her so damned much. It's tearing me apart. Without Piper, it hurts to breath.

The songs are spinning and the cure is flowing freely at the table. Another familiar song kicks my thoughts into gear.

See you walking 'round like it's a funeral
Not so serious, girl; why those feet cold?
We just getting started; don't you tip toe, tip toe

I watch as a gorgeous Hispanic woman saunters onto the dance floor. She is headed right towards someone already dancing. Normally my eyes would follow her, appreciate her beauty. Not tonight. She's not Piper.

Talk to me, baby
I'm going blind from this sweet, sweet craving, whoa
Let's lose our minds and go fucking crazy
Ah ya ya ya ya I keep on hoping we'll eat cake by the ocean

Piper loves this song. She took me Cozumel one year for my birthday. She planned a whole little party just for the two of us – blanket on the beach. I would have been happy with just her. But she surprised me by pulling out a chocolate ganache cake (my favourite) and a five-year-old bottle of Malmsey Madeira.

I can still hear Piper's giggles as she popped open the cork and poured the sweetest style of Madeira wine into little plastic wine glasses. My favourite sound. She raised her glass to toast and said "With its high acidity it is a perfect foil for the richness of chocolate. Happy birthday Alex." Her mock high-society accent was so cute. I always remember eating cake by the ocean with Piper.

I open my eyes, broken from my thoughts. Interrupted by Lorna's red-headed cousin. God. This woman is irritating.

I can't help the scowl on my face as I make eye contact with this woman. Fuck. I miss my Piper.

I'm sorry if I seem uninterested
Or I'm not listenin' or I'm indifferent

I only am partially listening to the conversation, taking my cues from watching Nicky. My mind strays to Piper. Strays? No, my mind is glued on Piper as it has been since we had the blow-up two weeks ago. Piper wants a break. I respect that and am waiting on her to text me. It's killing me, but I have to respect her decision. If she wants me, she will come to me. I'm waiting.

Truly, I ain't got no business here
But since my friends are here
I just came to kick it but really
I would rather be at home all by myself not in this room

When I texted Nicky, I didn't expect this type of scene. Just a drink, with a friend and Lorna too. But Nicky was set on this club, The Beat, because Lorna's cousin was in town. This is Piper's scene, our scene. Normally Nicky isn't caught dead at this "disco" as she called it. I don't want to be in a crowd, and I don't want to be alone. I want

Alcohol.

The Cure.

Piper.

With people who don't even care about my well being
I don't dance, don't ask, I don't need a girlfriend
So you can go back, please enjoy your party
I'll be here, somewhere in the corner under clouds of marijuana

This woman is getting on my nerves, screeching. I don't know how I am managing to be a participant of this conversation, well hardly. My thoughts are very far from here. When this bitch isn't disturbing me. I hide my cringe behind a large fake smile. She's prodding my arm with her crimson fake nails goading me to dance with her. I despise women with long nails. I turn my head to Nicky and Lorna, they are laughing. My frustration at the continuous prodding is growing. Much to my relief, Nicky tells the red-head not to prod me. I don't dance. Don't ask. I will dance. But only with Piper. I'll do anything for Piper.

I need to get out of here. Leave. Just slip out, go home and get stoned out of my mind. But more drinks are placed on the table and I need them.

Alcohol.

The Cure.

I gulp mine down thirstily. The music is playing in the background, the lyrics echoing in my head.

Excuse me if I seem a little unimpressed with this
An anti-social pessimist but usually I don't mess with this

I feel a hand grabbing my arm, my body is yanked from my seat. Who the fuck …? I am intoxicated, unable to retreat from the grip. I don't need to look twice, it's obvious who this is. Those sharp fucking nails digging in my skin, but I keep calm because she's Lorna's cousin. I am uncomfortable with how close she needs to be, leaning into my ear as she whispers to me, "Dance with me gorgeous." You have to be fucking kidding me right? I shake my head, but before I can speak, Lorna looks at me with her forlorn eyes, and Nicky is already making her way to the dance floor. Before I know, my arm is being pulled and my feet are no longer fixed to the spot. If Piper were to see me she would never forgive me.

Somebody said you got a new friend
Does she love you better than I can?
There's a big black sky over my town
I know where you're at, I bet she's around

The gel lights shift from blue to red, bathing the dance floor in a myriad of colors. Lorna's cousin is grabby. She has been since she dragged me to the dance floor. I am trying to keep my distance, but somehow I don't seem to have the strength as she keeps pulling me into her. I feel her hands squeeze my ass. I squirm away from her claws. Damned fingernails. I feel dirty. Why can't she just accept that I am not interested? I don't dance. Except with Piper.

I'm in the corner, watching you kiss her, ohh
I'm giving it my all, but I'm not the girl you're taking home, ooo
I keep dancing on my own
I keep dancing on my own

She is dancing against me, as though she has carnal knowledge of my body. She doesn't. She isn't going to be rewarded with that opportunity. I definitely don't find myself enjoying this. It's not like Piper. I keep moving away, avoiding eye contact. As the final chorus plays, she grabs me by my shoulders.

Her lips press against mine catching me off guard. I immediately pull away before she attempts to take it any further. Fucking Bitch. I pull up the collar of my black t-shirt to wipe off the lipstick along with the sensation of the kiss with the inside of my shirt. This feels so wrong. Something else was amiss. This woman has been bothering me all night and then she tries that. I shove her off me, feeling angry at myself for allowing her to get that close to me. I wouldn't do that to Piper.

I look up, searching the club. Looking for Nicky, my eyes pass over the exit then quickly pan back. Fuck. I have to look twice. I feel like I have just been hit in the chest. Looking back towards the door, I quickly turn on the heels of my feet. I see a familiar blonde trouncing out of the club. Piper. I can't move quickly enough. I feel guilt. I feel hurt, but a small part of me is happy. To see the familiar body that I know so well. Then it hits me, leaving the club.

My pace picks up. Rushing back to the table, I grab my leather jacket from the chair. "Vause!" I quickly glance back to see Nicky staring at me with a curious look. I don't have time to answer questions now. I shrug on my jacket and utter one word to my friends. "Piper." Before I know it I am at the door, feeling the cold air hit me as I step outside. Following the woman I love with all my heart.

I kick-start my bike, feeling the rumble between my legs. I love the distraction it allows as I concentrate riding amongst the drunks making it an early evening. Drunks. Damn. I realize I've had far too much to drink to ride my bike tonight. Fuck. I don't have to time to worry about this now. I need to get to Piper. I shut it down and roll it into the shadows of the building where it will be safe until I can pick it up tomorrow. Piper cannot be too far ahead of me as I quickly catch a cab and bark out the address. This driver needs to put his foot down. I have to get to Piper.

I bound up the steps to Piper's floor, dipping my hand into my pocket for my keys. It's been too long since I have done this. Been here. The familiarity. But I can't help feeling nervous as I go to slip the key into Piper's lock. Two realizations make me freeze. One, the deadbolt is surely latched. And more importantly, two, I said I would give Piper her space.

But here I am. Outside her door. I can't let her go now. Not now. One attempt isn't going to hurt.

I press my ear against Piper's door to see if I can hear her moving around the apartment. The noises that I hear are all too painful for me. Muffled sobs escape through the wooden door. I fight back my own tears that I know will fall if I don't get to Piper quick enough, taking a deep breath as my hand raises, tapping lightly on Piper's door. I remember my vow to not disturb her until she contacted me, but the thought of Piper hurting was shredding my heart to pieces.

I lean my head against the door, closing my eyes as the sobs continue. It takes a lot of courage, but finally I whisper. "Piper, it's me. Can we talk?" I tap again.

My patience is rewarded as I hear locks slide out of place and see the door crack open to reveal Piper's eyes, bloodshot from crying. Piper looks down my body, taking in my usual outfit of a black fitted t-shirt, tight black jeans, and hip boots. She lifts her eyes back to my face, pauses then slams the door.

I'm out of luck.