A/N: Italics are thoughts or emphasis on thoughts. Bold italics are lyrics. BOLD UNDERLINED CAPS represents a change in POV.

ALEX

I am face on with a door. Standing stunned. Silent. I wasn't expecting that. I have never had a door slammed in my face before. Definitely not by Piper. I turn on my heels, do I stay or do I leave? My question is answered for me as I lean my body against the door. I run my hands through my hair, my mind drifting back to the fateful night at the restaurant. The things I should have done. I'm so stupid.

Should've kissed you there
I should've held your face
I should've watched those eyes
Instead of run in place

When the fight started, I should have stopped it – just grabbed Piper's face in my hands and tenderly kissed her. Reassured her. We could have avoided this. If I hadn't have been so stupid, then I would probably be in her apartment with her now. Who knows what we would be doing. But I was stupid. I didn't look up. I didn't attempt to call her back. Then she just left. It was just me and a table. Lonely. Like now. Regretting my choices. I slide my back down the door, pulling my knees close to me as I hit the floor. Burying my head in my arms. I feel my own tears fall.

I'm waiting. It doesn't matter how long it takes.

I should've called you out
I should've said your name
I should've turned around
I should've looked again

I should have cried out. Threw the crumpled the bills on the table and ran after Piper. Taken her in my arms until she forgave me. Held her closely. But I wasn't quick enough. She was probably oblivious to my attempt to catch up. A poor attempt, too. I gave up too early. I can't give up now.

I try to be quiet. Maybe if she thinks I have left, she will open the door. Forgive me. So I sit, I wait.

PIPER

All I wanted was to come back to my apartment, to be left alone. Forget the image of Alex and that other woman. How can she move on so soon? I need to let out all of these emotions. To be free of the pain. Move on. From what I witnessed just now at the club, it seems like I am the last thought for Alex.

It breaks me. I let go. All of the pain I feel pours out. Tears stream down my cheeks, my legs pulled into me as I lay on the couch. Crying. To ease the pain. Crying. For Alex.

It was all too soon. I wasn't prepared to see Alex with another woman. Not now. Not ever. Why doesn't she feel like I do?

Broken.

A light tap on the door disturbs me. I lift my head slightly, falling back down to the couch. Not now. Leave me alone. I don't know who it could be at this time, but I am not ready to face anyone. Not now. Not in this state of distress. I need the time for myself.

I try to silence my sobs. Not wanting the person at my door to continue knocking. But then I hear it. A faint voice from the other side of the door. It's not going away and I could barely make out what the person was saying.

I thought I wanted Alex. But I couldn't face it. Not now. Not ever. Knowing how quickly she moved on from me. I tried my hardest to look as happy as I could as I adjusted my clothing and unlocked the door. But what I saw had made me gasp, green eyes looking back at me with such sorrow. It was then, when we made eye contact, that I found myself slamming the door with such force.

I turn my back, barely able to walk. I slide my back against the door, sitting on a cold floor. I can't believe she came here. Just as I thought my tears were drying, I feel them form in my eyes again. I am a mess. I sit with my head back against the door as if that will keep her from knocking.

But oh, I'm staring at the mess I made
I'm staring at the mess I made
I'm staring at the mess I made
As you turn, you take your heart and walk away

I told Alex that night I needed time. I don't even remember why now. She got pissed and I left the table. I thought she was going to follow me, catch me or at least called out my name. But no. I remember taking a last look behind me to watch her walking towards the taxi stand.

Should've held my ground
I could've been redeemed
For every second chance
That changed its mind on me

I should've spoken up
I should've proudly claimed
That oh my head's to blame
For all my heart's mistakes

I contemplate my actions, in disbelief that I slammed the door in her face. That isn't like me. I love her. She deserves better than that. The guilt fills within me. What if she was coming to apologise? To ask me back? Had Alex come to fight for me? My mind is going crazy with all of these thoughts, the booze impacting on that. I don't quite know what I am doing, or where my actions came from. Maybe it's the pain that she made me feel. The jealousy.

ALEX

But oh, I'm staring at the mess I made
I'm staring at the mess I made
I'm staring at the mess I made
As you turn, you take your heart and walk away

I look at my hands, envisioning blood stains as my heart is ripped out of my chest. I should have said something. I should have called out. Instead, I let her walk away. Two weeks later I am sitting with my back against her door, praying that she will eventually give in and let me inside. I only want to talk. To save our relationship.

I stand, turning against the door for support and press my forehead against the surface. I pause and just allow myself to listen for a while. To think of Piper and what she is doing behind the door. I know she is hurting just as much. I have to do something about this quickly. I whisper softly. "Piper. It's Alex. I'm here Piper. I'm right here. I'm not leaving."

PIPER

With my head leaning against the door and my eyes closed. I listen. There are faint movements outside of my door. It must be Alex. Waiting for me. With that thought, I get to my feet. I press my ear gently against the surface of the wooden door, to hear murmurs coming from the opposite side of the door. She's still outside. Only a door separates us.

A small part of me feels happy that she waited for me.

ALEX

"I'm not leaving Piper. I'll stay out here all night if I have to."

Then I hear it. Stepping back slightly from the door as I hear the deadbolt sliding back. She is unlocking the door, and with that realisation the door opens. She stands in front of me. I take in what I see. The beautiful features of Piper, the familiar figure that I have missed. I do not step forward as I have yet to be invited. I lock my eyes with her as she speaks.

PIPER

"You changed clothes." I look her up and down. Fuck. Is that the first thing I could come up. Then it hits me, another question soon follows. " How did you get here so quickly?" How did she?

She moves her eyes from me.

Confusion masks her face as she looks down at her outfit and shakes her head. I realize Alex is still standing in the hallway. I should at least invite her in. She waited for me. It's that thought that makes me feel better for this. Stepping aside, I motion for her to enter. "Bourbon?" Alex remains standing by the door and shakes her head. "Coffee?" Alex nods.

This gives me something to do with my hands while I figure out my feelings. "You left your friends." But Alex didn't respond to me. How dare she come to my home, insist on being let in and then ignore me – after kissing that red-head. Who does she think she is? Does she think I am daft?

ALEX

Piper offers me bourbon. I need a clear head for this. I refuse but I accept coffee. Part of me thinks she is making coffee to keep from talking to me. I don't know what to say. I watch her. Finding comfort by just seeing her. God I've missed her. My mouth is dry. Nerves maybe? Definitely.

Piper thrusts a mug in my direction but doesn't make eye contact with me. It's that damned mug from Berlin. The one with a small hairline crack. She's trying to provoke me. I asked her so many times to be careful with it, put it in the display with the other collectibles from our travel. I fear if she continues to use it, the hot liquid will expand the crack, eventually causing it to shatter. The mug is special. But she insists on using it. I could never tell her no. It holds many memories for us both. Our first purchase on our first trip together. In Germany. Piper says she wants to use it to remind her of that trip. If it breaks, it was meant to be. Why is this bothering me now? I am here to make amends or to try. Not threaten about a cup, we have had that discussion many other times. Maybe I should have taken that bourbon.

PIPER

As the coffee is brewing, I ready two mugs. Deliberately choosing one from my "Alex souvenir" shelf. It's from Germany, the first real vacation we took together. She hates when I use it. A small part of me is doing this to get back at her, knowing the reaction she will have to this. But the other part of me chose that mug because it's a memory that we share together. A hint of what we once had. I hope this action hurts her just as much as it has me. Maybe it will make her think twice about kissing that fucking red-head. I hand Alex her coffee, waiting for a reaction from the mug. When none comes, I get angry.

Why is she here? Why won't she talk to me?

Tonight I feel so weak
But all in love is fair
I turn the other cheek
And I feel the slap and the sting of the foul night air

And I know you're only human
And I haven't got talking room
But tonight while I'm making excuses
Some other woman is making love to you.

I can't get the vision of her kissing the red-head out of my mind. After Alex takes a sip of coffee and places the mug on the end table, I finally am able to stop being stubborn and make eye contact with her. We lock eyes as I stoop down. The only sound punctuating the silence is SLAP. My palm burns from the contact with her cheek. Maybe now she will react.

ALEX

My hand comes to hold my cheek, touching the stinging against my face. I am stunned. I look at Piper in a shocked silence. She glares at me as she throws herself down in her chair and grabs her own coffee. Redness creeps from her chest. Her eyes are bright blue from crying. From anger. I hate knowing she's hurting. But she slapped me. She has never done that before. I am now even more speechless than before.

PIPER

I feel guilt. But I am not going to let her know that. So I look up to her, a glare adorning my face. My tone of voice harsh. "How did that feel Alex?" I let her consider the question, pausing for a moment as she looks to me. I can't hold back. She needs to know what's bothering me. "I can't believe you have the audacity to kiss a woman tonight then come over here to my home. I haven't heard from you in two weeks. The first time I see you, you are at our club, with our friends¸ kissing a woman." I watch as Alex's eyes grow wide in surprise. She didn't realize she had been caught, that I had seen her with Nicky and Lorna, and that red-head. Busted. Her head lowers in shame. Unable to look at me. Good. I hope she is feeling guilty.

ALEX

Did I just hear correctly? The sound of Piper's voice is repeating in my head. I lower my head unable to hold eye contact. I feel guilt. She saw me, and that bitch. FUCK! How do I explain tonight to Piper without sounding like I'm making excuses? She'll never believe me. I look at the floor, hanging my head. But not with shame. Sadness. Mourning. Torment. Then the room is silent. I lift my eyes slowly. She is looking at me. I am met with Piper's glowering stare. I feel a tear trickle from the corner of my eye. Digging in my pocket, I pull out my phone and thrust it towards Piper. The only thing I can think of. She took it, her glare turning to bewilderment.

"Nicky. Text Nicky." I watched, her eyes flicking between my phone and me. "Your phone, my phone, I don't care what phone. Fucking text Nicky." I was angry. I needed to resolve this.

Is it too late now to say sorry?
'Cause I'm missing more than just your body, oh
Is it too late now to say sorry?
Yeah, I know that I let you down
Is it too late to say I'm sorry now?

I shake my head to get that punk ass kid's lyrics out of my head.

PIPER

Piper from Alex's phone: Nichols?
Nicky: Vause! Are you okay? Did you catch up with her?
Nicky: Alex I am so sorry. We should have never brought Lorna's cousin
Nicky: VAUSE? Talk to me. I saw what she did. You should have slapped the bitch. But that's okay. Lorna did it for you. CATFIGHT!
Piper from Alex's phone: Nicky – it's Piper
Nicky: FUCK. Is Alex with you? Is she okay?
Nicky: Where are you?

Air silence.

Alex's phone rings. Nicky. I answers and listen.

"Blondie. What you think you saw, isn't true. Lorna's cousin, she's a bitch and wouldn't leave Alex alone. Alex wanted us to meet her out to keep her company. This is my fault Piper. Alex misses you. She's miserable. You two are probably just sitting there, silent. Kinda like you are doing to me now. Talk to her Piper."

Nicky hung up. I look to Alex, looking at me. I quickly divert my gaze, looking down at my hands as I fiddle with Alex's phone.

Confusion. Was it real? Imagined? What was it that I saw? Alex kissing another woman? I misinterpreted the situation. Alex wouldn't do that to me. I should know that. She loves me. I love Alex.

I am mad. But I am tired of being mad at her. I think I got this all wrong. Damn. I miss her. I look up. She looks empty. The effects of my actions over the past two weeks. Dejected. Forlorn.

My own faces turn to a look of sorrow. I am sorry. For being stupid. I should have taken the time to listen. Given Alex the time to explain. I made a fool of myself because of my jealousy.

I speak quietly. Looking down to the floor in sadness and in shame. "How did we get here Al?" I wince as the familiar nickname comes out so easily. I raise my head so I can see her reaction. She shrugs. Defeated. "Nicky told me the red-head is a bitch. Then again she also said you miss me. Do you miss me Alex?" She nods at me. Then it comes to me. The reason we are really here. The questions I am burning to ask. I inhale a breath before I speak. "Why didn't you text? Call? Visit?"

The voice that I hear is not the tone that I know as Alex. It is low. Beaten. I can sense the sadness in her voice as she looks to me. Her sad eyes behind her glasses. "You said you wanted a break. I was trying to respect you." Her voice is barely above a whisper. But the crestfallen look in her green eyes that I could once see has turned into a glimmer of hope. Looking directly at me as she speaks. "I'm miserable without you Pipes. I want you back."

That's the confident Alex that I know.

ALEX

Piper isn't as angry with me anymore. Or at least I don't think she is. She is talking to me in a lowered tone, asking why I didn't contact her. I answer. Finally, I feel some warmth within me that begins to melt the ice that had formed around my heart since she walked away from me that horrific day two weeks ago. As we sit and talk without raising our voices I can feel a change in me. Something building. Hope. I watch her. From my current position on the coach. She pulls herself out of the chair and approaches me. The hope I was once feeling subsides. I close my eyes, steeling myself for another deserved strike. I scrunch my face, ready for it. But I don't feel it. I feel the couch dip next to me. I open my one eye slowly, to see Piper's body sink into the couch next to me.

She keeps a small distance between us. But it's the closest she has been for a while, other than the slap. I am not going to complain. It appears we are on better terms now. I will take it as slowly as she wants. I turn my head as she looks to me. I can't help but grin. My happiness is escaping from within me.

The look that greets me sends flutters throughout my body. The sound of her giggle is music to my ears. It has been far too long. I chuckle back, nervously. I feel like a teenager when a crush gives you attention back. We sit and smile at each other for a while. I adore this look. The sparkle in her blue eyes that I see for the first time this evening.

"How did we get here Al?" A genuine question that she asks. But she doesn't stop there. Shuffling her body closer to me.

I lift an arm to allow her to lay her head against my chest and snuggle into me as I pull her tight. Pressing my nose into her hair, I breathe deeply. Around the stench of cigarette smoke and booze, my favourite scent fills my nostrils. Piper. "I've missed you Piper. You have absolutely no idea." Piper snuggles yet closer, wrapping her arms around my waist, squeezing.

A glimmer of hope. Just how we were before. I begin to hum one of our songs. I want to be Piper's Superman.

I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away

Then an idea comes to me. I standing, pulling Piper to her feet. Keeping my arm around her shoulder as she keeps hers around my waist. We stand in the middle of the room. She joins in my humming as we sway in her living room.

Call me, baby, if you need a friend
I just wanna give you love
Come on, come on, come on

Reaching out to you, so take a chance
No matter where you go
You know you're not alone

This moment feels so good. I want to keep it going so I start in on another song. I know she can hear the lyrics. We've played these songs a million times before.

I've got fire for a heart
I'm not scared of the dark
You've never seen it look so easy
I got a river for a soul
And baby you're a boat

Baby you're my only reason
If I didn't have you there would be nothing left
The shell of a woman who could never be her best
If I didn't have you, I'd never see the sun
You taught me how to be someone, yeah

PIPER

When Alex pulls me to dance with her, it takes me by surprise. I'm sure what is happening. But we are standing in my living room, our arms around each other. I've missed her warmth. This feels so damned good. No more thoughts. She hums some of the songs on the playlist we use when we go on road trips. I know the songs well. They touch me. Alex moves me.

I rest my head in the crook of her neck, my comfortable position. Safe. I feel content. Complete. "Now what Al?" I ask. I feel her hold on me tighten, she squeezes me for reassurance.

Gosh. This feels good.

"I don't know Pipes. What even happened between us?" I lift my head from her neck, to look at Alex. We hold our eye contact, in silence, before she speaks again, quietly. "Can we get past this?"

I answer in the only way that feels right. Something that I have longed to do. I look between her eyes and lips, moving closer into her as our lips meet. I close my eyes. Softly and slowly, as we familiarise ourselves with each other again. Taking our time to savour how this feels.

Damn. It feels incredible.

It wasn't alcohol I needed.

It was Alex.

The Cure.

A/N: Good things always come in threes. Thanks for going on this short journey with us.

A/N: Lyrics

The Mess I Made – Parachute
Bring Me Some Water – Melissa Etheridge
Sorry – Justin Bieber (a joke, but it worked)
One Call Away – Charlie Puth
Drag Me Down – One Direction