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A/N: I know it's slow going, but I'm trying to build back up what the writers of Season 3 fucked up. Bear with me. And as always, reviews are appreciated.

CHAPTER 3

PiperPOV

After reading the letter from my grandmother, Red held me while I cried my eyes out and explained to her that she knew that I would do great things, that she thought Alex was the one for me, and that she wanted me to continue her legacy. I would write her and tell her all about Alex and I's travels while Alex was doing business; she was the only one of my family members that actually knew what I was doing and who I was with at the time.

It had been two days since my meeting with Cal and Mr. Davis, so I was waiting at my bunk waiting to be escorted to electrical, watching as all the other inmates passed by without a second glance at me. They were either scared of me or were just being considerate and giving me space. About a week after the incident with Alex, some of the spanish girls cornered me about getting paid for the panty business. I had worked so hard to assert my power and to make this a business that actually profits but after what happened to Alex I didn't want to be anything like the people who did that to her. She told me over and over again that I was becoming just like the cartel. It drove her away from me.

My inner musings were cut off by Bell coming up to escort me. "Let's go Chapman." She gruffed out. Man, she really was not a morning person. I followed her through the corridors like the good little inmate I was supposed to be. Just as we got the electrical shop she stopped me and tucked a note into my pocket before continuing down the hall away from me. I knew I couldn't read it write now or I'd get a shot for being late.

By the end of the day, it was still burning a hole in my pocket. I barely ate anything in order to get back to my cube faster. Walking as fast as I could I plopped down on my bunk and ripped the note out of my pocket. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. Alex was alive. She was gonna be okay. I wish I could see her.

I had to make a phone call.

AlexPOV

I sat in my hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, the only interruption to my thoughts was the constant beep of the heart monitor reminding me that I really was alive. Bell had left quite a few hours ago so I'm sure that Piper has gotten my note by now. I drew in a ragged breath, wincing as I felt my ribs move. I had convinced one of my nurses earlier to tone down my pain medicine; I felt too high, too out of control, and I didn't want to feel like that ever again. I knew that if I got used to not feeling any pain at all, I'd be more likely to fall right back into heroin's death grip.

There was a knock at the door, and O'Neill stuck his head in. "Hey Vause, you up?"

"Yeah." I droned, not taking my eyes off the popcorn ceiling.

"You've got a visitor. Says she's your cousin. You up for it?"

My cousin? That piqued my curiosity. Playing along I asked, "Which one? I've got lots. What's her name?"

He turned his head away from the room and I could hear muffled voices, then his voice sounded again, "Uhh, Polly Harper."

Polly? Why would she be visiting me? "Uhh yeah, sure, let her in. Wait!" O'Neill looked at me confused. "Could you, uhh, help me sit up a little? I can't really do much with this stupid thing." Gesturing towards the cast that covered most of my arm. He nodded and then awkwardly helped me into a sitting position before exiting the room and obviously telling Polly that she could come in.

I was trying to mentally prepare myself for the conversation of a lifetime. I watched her walk in, suspicion evident on my face.

"Hey, Supercunt." She laughed nervously. "You're not allowed to die on her, you know."

"What are you doing here, Holly?" I asked, trying to sound nice.

She sighed, sitting down in the chair next to my bed. "Piper called me. She told me what's been happening, what happened to you." She scoffed. "The first time that I've actually talked to her since I fucked it all up and all she does is break down and tell me how she's fucked everything up. She loves you, Supercunt. God only knows why. You two have been through so much shit together but you're her person." I just sat there staring at her. I never thought I'd see the day that she actually admitted it, but looking at her now, I see how much she's beat herself up over the whole Larry situation. "She asked me to call and see if I could find out any information on you, but I thought I'd do her one better and actually come see you. I don't know your feelings on her or your guys fucked up situation but she seriously misses you and realizes she fucked up."

This is the longest conversation I think I've ever had with Polly. She's never been a fan of mine. Nor was she willing to admit that what Piper and I had was real. "It doesn't matter how many times she leaves me or fucks me over: I love her. At the end of the day, she's all want. She's all I'll ever want. I don't want her to have to suffer because of me. I should have never let her carry that bag. But that's the past. I can only change the future. And that's what I want to do."

Polly started to wipe her eyes, then said "Well then, I hope you've eaten your Wheaties, because we've got a lot of work to do."

I gave her a look that said "What the fuck?"

"We've got to get you better so that we can get you back to our girl."