Chapter Six

Piper was up out of her chair and over to Daya before the guards could get between them. She hugged her tight. She was so thrilled that she was in the class because it meant that she still had custody of her kid and she was about to get out. Alex saw who it was and started to rush over. Bell was between them in a flash. She held up her hands but blocked Alex from touching Piper.

"Get the fuck out of my way," Alex warned in a menacing growl that made Piper turn around immediately.

"Oh please, I'm so sorry Officer...Alex, sorry baby- I'm just..I...I didn't know she was in this class, when I read the list your name wasn't on it," Piper said becoming immediately and surprisingly emotional. She blinked and her voice quivered some that she saw the entire guest panel actually sigh like they had seen a puppy with droopy eyes. Piper flushed with shame. She was raised not to show emotions in public...she tried so hard to be professional and reserved.

Sarah spoke up from two of the counselors that had joined the panel, " She was added after the list was sent to you. She missed a week but worked hard to catch up." Piper dropped her arm from Daya who just looked from Bell, to the warden and back to Piper.

"That is fine, my dear. Good to see you Diaz, and way to go. Honey, let the panel start and come back to your seat before the turn on the siren and they all have to drop," Alex joked softly. She did step around Bell and put her hand at the small of Piper's back. She knew that the fact they were married and a couple was really pissing off some of the prison establishment. Bell didn't, who was just a fan put on a good show of being disgusted for the Warden. Piper wondered again, how much of her "asshole-ness" was just for show.

Piper moved back to her seat and blushed again. "I'm so sorry, Bradley please-" She waved her hand for him to continue.

"No I want to know what moved you so much to run to her Ms. Chapman?" The Congresswoman asked Piper. She swallowed and looked over to Diaz. She sorta gave Piper a "what the fuck" half smile and Piper could tell she was very nervous to be on the stop.

"Um, I knew Diaz, um Daya before here...she worked in the kitchen and we were processed through A&Os together. We weren't in the same dorm but once...when I really needed her she helped me." Piper said and again the emotion surprised her. "So, I guess knowing that the WPA was helping her made me ya know...anyway," Piper again tried to pass the conversation back to the panel.

She continued to question though, "How did she help you? Was she one of the women that helped you...the um 'welcoming committee" you mentioned in your book? I thought they pretty much kept to race lines-"

Both Alex and Piper said at the same time, "It's more tribal-" then stopped and laughed. She was a little surprised to see the other prisoners and Bell smile.

Piper before the congresswoman would think to ask Daya. "Yeah, our friend always described it like that. No um..Daya helped me out with a personal matter. I'd rather not say how and I'd rather not what. I feel close to her too because she had the baby-" Piper stopped suddenly wary of what she was saying. She didn't want to point out that Daya was pregnant by a 'rape' while in prison.

Daya however had no problem doing just that. They both had grey areas that needed to be avoided here. Piper didn't want it known she had targeted and wounded a guard while a prisoner there- with Daya's help. And Diaz didn't want the Brass to know her baby Daddy was Bennett. "I got pregnant while here...it is known. The officer was suspended but returned...Vause testified against him and he was sent away." The panel murmured. Most of the prisoner's knew this information but they watched Piper to see her reaction. She looked at Diaz.

"I would love to see some photos...now though, really we've singled Daya out enough. Please Bradley continue," Piper spoke up in a loud voice that she hoped pushed them forward. Bradley finally took his cue and the panel continued. They spoke about all the classes and each woman gave a statement. Daya spoke about how she and her fiancé were going to raise the child away from the city. She said she had known some of the basics because she had helped raise her younger siblings because her mom was in prison. Piper pictured her mother's face and recalled with vivid detail how she had smacked Daya across the face when she arrived. Their relationship had actually made Piper feel better about her own. She'd take passive aggressive cold war to passionate fighting any day.

Daya looked up as she read that part. "I'd like to thank you for giving me a chance to break this cycle. I can say that my baby will never end up in a place like this but that ain't what happens where I'm from. I gotta get out of here but more than that, I gotta get me and my baby a chance," Daya spoke softly but from the heart and Piper was certain that girl would make it.

The panel continued after Sarah thanked them all for their testimonies. She knew there was going to be a photo op with the panel. The Prison was taking the photograph. She was surprised to see Luschek come in carrying a camera. She stiffened and her eyes darted to where Alex stood over by Bell. She walked straight towards her. Luschek had enough sense to step back towards the door.

"Hell no, " Alex said and she went straight for him. Piper slid her body between them and Alex froze.

"Warden, I don't care if you pull an inmate from the hall to take this picture...or you let Officer Bell take it. But please, I just think.." Piper faltered. Luschek held up his hands and looked confused. He had mellowed out at the end of her sentence but she knew Alex remembered Nicky telling her about the cage.

"Officer Luschek is our photographer on staff. It will be only one photograph, Ms. Chapman," the warden said in a smooth voice. Eva offered to take the photo or send one from her phone if she could have it back. The warden reminded her that it wasn't allowed and stated again that Luschek would do a fine job.

Piper quickly turned to Alex and pushed her back towards Susan. "It is alright. It will just be a moment and then he will leave," Piper said. She didn't look Alex in the eye but she turned and walked up to the crowd of women. Piper took the book back in her hand and smiled. She looked at the camera as he took the shot. Then she turned to the Congresswoman and thanked her so much for her time. She thanked her for her letter to the head of the Bureau of Prisons about moving the Danbury prisoners. The entire time she stood there talking she prayed Alex was alright. She was terrified to look at her and see anger or disappointment in her eyes. It was all she could do to carry on the conversation. She knew she only had her attention for a limited time before others pulled them away. The prisoners were taken out of room after a few hugs with the counselors. Daya waved goodbye and Piper looked over to her. Alex was leaning looking out the window at the view. Piper tried not to look out the windows. She was afraid she'd find it hard to breathe.

Eva moved up and started to speak to her. They were relatively sure there would be reporters outside. Piper suddenly wasn't sure she could even take a step. She found herself calculating what route he would take to the staff lounge or perhaps the visitor's lounge office where they would take the staged pictures. It had come after Piper left. She just nodded not really hearing Eva at all. Sarah and Bradley came up and told her she did a great job. No one was speaking about the guard. She wanted the focus to be prisoner's success. She tried to take a step and she just watched Alex. Her wife slowly moved from the window and over to Piper. She took her hand and walked towards the door. Piper let her lead her out and down the hall. They had to pass by the commisary line. Alex pulled her close and nodded towards Red. Piper promptly dropped her book with papers in the hall. Fischer was right there to help but Boo bent down to help.

"There ya go Chapman. Love the reading and congratulations on the marriage. Christmas day ceremony...classy Vause," Boo said to her. Alex laughed and Red looked at Piper. She stopped and smiled at her.

"Thank you for the lotion, it works well and smells better than the jalepeno lotion," Red said. Piper knew she still had years to go. It was good to stand close to her.

Fischer asked her to step back and ushered them along. Piper followed her authoritative presence. Alex pulled her close as Piper looked back to tell Red she'll send her some new stuff. They were ushered into a room where they were to be checked. The other guests had not touched or been near prisoners. Alex wasn't thrilled at all and Susan did a quick pat down of Piper.

"Thanks for the reading. They really enjoy reading the book here and get involved more with opportunities. Congratulations," Susan said as she opened the door to release them back to the lobby. The Warden said goodbye at the door. They walked out and the Congress woman spoke. Piper smiled and nodded to a few reporters but let Eva do the speaking. She introduced Sarah and they took their sound bite with Piper standing to the side. They walked hand and hand to the car. The reporters called out asking how it was and Piper started to brace herself at the car, hoping to make one statement and then to get in the privacy of the car.

She wanted to be alone with Alex. To her surprise Alex spoke first, " Thank you all for giving this program the attention it deserved. We have another engagement," Alex said as she opened Piper's door then walked around to the other side. She noted that no one really stood in her way. She closed her eyes and buckled her seat belt. Piper looked over as her wife started the car. She pulled out carefully and they drove away.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know he was going to be there. I think that was the Warden's doing. I don't think she appreciates having to do a dog and pony show...I just didn't want to distract from their accomplishments," Piper explained.

"Shh, you were right. I just don't want you in the room with...um..could you do me a favor if I ask it just because...like I need..." Alex said in a voice that quaked. She leaned up and spoke to the driver, directing him to pull down the side road and towards the lake. Piper reached over and asked her what was wrong.

They pulled in to the parking area...Alex took a deep cleansing breath, "No more prisons for awhile. Maybe you can steer them towards more...like ...please just can we at least talk about it if," she stumbled. Piper kissed her and soothed her. They stayed there for a little while.

"Yes, I'll make sure they know I'll not do another prison reading for awhile. Whatever we need is what matters. You were my rock...I love you. You are what matters, I'm sorry...this was maybe a bit too much too soon," Piper suggested. Alex nodded. They instructed the driver to pull out. Piper stared out the window at the water. She pulled her wife's head to her shoulder and they clasped hands. She wouldn't be surprised if they stayed like that, silent and connected all the way to Brooklyn. They turned and the lake fell from her view. Piper felt Alex shiver so she rolled the window up.

**** June 6th! Wowser! Blessings to everyone and I hope you enjoyed this trip back to Litchfield. Here's hoping they stay outta places like that. Please Review- Peace, Fae***