Chapter Fourteen

Piper called Dr. Speer first thing the next morning. She got an impromptu appointment for around noon and she offered to bring lunch. Alex had meetings with the accountant all morning so she went alone. Dr. Speer was happy with the salad and grilled tuna Piper prepared. They ate quietly for a few moments before she started to tell her about Becca's visit.

"She has been a trigger for you. It seems you kept your temper this time." She observed.

Piper nodded and told her that was mainly because of Taystee's timing. She watched as the doctor nodded then continued to eat. Piper made herself chew her food and swallow.

"So, how much were you involved in her daughter finding her?" Dr Speer asked quietly. Piper smiled some. Alex hadn't asked her anything else. Piper knew she was aware that Piper had done something. Alex was choosing not to rock the boat.

"I'm worried Alex didn't make me fess up," Piper admitted. She didn't lay it out for Dr. Speer, but yeah she'd helped Rebecca find her mother. Bradley needed only to check a file to give her the halfway house and location of her job. Rebecca could probably put two and two together and figure out that Piper knew more than she let on when she gave her the card.

Piper knew she wouldn't say a word.

It was a kind of certainty that made her feel confident in herself. She knew that Alex had that same certainty with her...then why wasn't she demanding the truth from Piper.

"Maybe she feels you'll tell her on your own or that it just isn't worth the disruption in your life...you do know she will always choose you?" she asked as she sipped her ginger ale leaning back in her seat.

"I do. I will tell her. I also have to tell her I did it in the spur of the moment for really selfish reasons." Piper sighed as she spoke.

"I don't think she is going to be surprised you aren't perfect Piper. You did better with your anger but we both know this whole situation came from your anger towards Becca. You get possessive of all of Alex's time and are pissed off on some ground level that she got to be there for Alex when you couldn't be there. I think Alex feels the same way about Larry...Steve even Eva." Dr. Speer pointed out.

Piper nodded. "Yes, it isn't easy for either of us but she has more control of her anger. I've been running again and added boxing to my daily workout. I wanted to smack her upside her face but I didn't. So do you think this means I don't need meds for anxiety or sleep?" Piper was certain she would have had Taystee not helped out. She sat back and recalled all the times someone from Prison saved her from making a terrible choice.

"Did you do it with the intent to get her out of the program?" Dr. Speer asked.

Piper shrugged. "This was an outcome I could see happening, yes. She made the choice to come to my house and insult us...she kept going when Alex warned her to stop. I set that off and yeah I regret it. It's like Pensatucky though. I learned the hard way that if you show some mercy to people and they still come at you...you'd better put them down first." Piper shrugged as she spoke. That was what she was going to tell Alex. She looked at the Doctor who smiled and wrote something in her book. She then changed the subject to how great lunch had been and that she had another appointment in a few minutes. It had been Piper's favorite session to date.

She didn't take a taxi back but made the walk carrying her bag with the lunch debris. She walked up the back steps and let herself in their apartment. Piper heard Alex speaking to Nicky.

"How are we involved in Fredrico's investigation?" Alex's tone of voice made Piper stop in her tracks. She was pissed and worried.

"I don't know. He made our original investments. Pipex was formed from those proceeds. Our investments were legit but he was involved in laundering money and some insider trading. I'm sorry Alex, I didn't know. It was hidden from me..my mother told me at lunch. "oh by the way, your half-brother is under investigation". I called our lawyer right away and she made the calls." Nicky was explaining. Piper heard their accountant speak up saying the audit had been called by the state department.

"What is going on?" Piper asked as she placed the bag on the counter and walked over to the table.

Nicky looked up and Piper could tell she was very upset. Lorna wasn't speaking. She was reading a document. Piper could tell right away it was a legal document.
"My brother is under investigation by the feds and our Audit was ordered by them. They want to meet with us to discuss the findings tomorrow. I just found out. I'm sorry-"

"I won't let this touch you Piper. I swear. " Alex said with a gulp. Piper knew she'd signed over her share of Popi. She knew it involved Pipex, which they used to finance the purchase and first five years operating budget for the stores. She had seen their business plan and had candid discussion about expansion or changing the store ours for different areas.

"Don't worry...we can't all be held accountable for his actions. I'm sure you signed the standard papers when he made investments?" Piper asked of Nicky. The accountant brought forth the documents. Nicky was acting as Alex's agent. The original portfolio was diversified. She saw a great profit margin, but nothing that seemed crazy.

"His indictment seems specific. Nicky got a copy from her mother. One of his partners was in with a gumba and they laundered money from the beginning. The insider trading is more specific. He was on the board of some firm that got the information from a vice chair at Atlantic National Bank," Lorna explained.

"He made a mistake. Look, I've only met the guy like five times in my life. He came along way after I started the drugs. I'm almost old enough to be his mom...but I don't think he entered in to this aware of what he was doing. I think he wanted to make his own way without help from his parents. I figured his ole man had vetted his partners and it was on the up and up. " Nicky ran her hand through her hair. It was as messed up and Piper got a glimpse at Nichols.

"You should have checked." Alex said dryly. Piper winced. She knew Alex was pissed because she had exposed Piper to an investigation. She knew criminal conspiracy laws were completely crazy.

"It will be up to our lawyer to speak for us and we can't change any of this now. Your business is completely legal and we've paid all of our taxes, in full and on time. Pipex has multiple clients, not just PoPi and they have a diverse portfolio. All of the information has already been handed over to the Feds. Were you audited as well Piper?" Lorna asked. Piper reached out and took Alex's hand.

"No we weren't. Our accountant went over everything again when Alex was just to be sure. You're right though, there is nothing we can do about it now. Is the meeting at your lawyer tomorrow?" Piper asked. She had a radio interview for a local news station tomorrow morning. She offered to cancel but Alex said it wouldn't matter.

"I'd rather you not be there. Everything is in our names, so Nichols and I have to be there. We expected to be scrutinized to make sure I wasn't back in the drug business...not this," Alex kissed her hand. She held her hand and smiled as she spoke. Piper wanted to complain again but she knew that Alex really wanted it this way. Still, it felt a bit like when she was on the outside.

"Hey, well look you two, you aren't alone anymore. You have partners that are here and can be with you every step of the way. Let the lawyer speak for you but let us be there to hold your hand," Piper exclaimed softly.

"Oh I'll be there. You do your interview and let us handle all the legal stuff," Lorna placated. Piper just looked at Alex. Her wife looked up and seemed to plead with her. Piper turned and thanked the accountant for their work. She made sure they knew the address of the lawyer and then walked them out. Piper went to make them tea. She wasn't happy with Alex's choice to exclude her but she was willing to give her space. She still had all night to convince her to let her go. They shared some tea and talked. Alex was trying to be normal with Nicky but Piper could tell she was really pissed. Nicky could tell as well. She had done so much for Alex and Piper knew she was really pissed that her choice had put them all at risk.

"I contacted the program manager and Becca is going to be removed from the work release. She will have to switch half way houses and may have to do some time in county. Most likely though, she will just have a longer time and have to get another job. My cousin Keke said she'd hire her at the hotel cleaning rooms. It is a crap job but it should hold her through the rest of her probation." Lorna explained to Alex in the kitchen. Piper stiffened as she listened.

"Did it reflect poorly on the program? Are they going to pull the project from our stores?" Alex asked.

"They would like us not to choose anyone else we've served time with...I can't say that is a bad idea. Not all are going to work out like Taystee and Luanne." Lorna made a point. Alex agreed and they all said goodbye. They left and Piper went to run them a bath.

"I'll take care-" Alex began.

"No we will do this together...and right now we're going to get in the bath together and talk. Then we're going to bed and make passionate love until we are famished...then you're ordering us take out, " Piper explained as she started to undress Alex. Alex smiled at her hand pushed her glasses up and helped Piper to take off her shirt.

"I like it when you get all bossy. How is your leg today?" Alex asked back. Piper told her how the walk was good and she felt great. She filled her in on her session some as they sank in to the hot water. Piper looked up at the afternoon sky through the skylight above.

"I gave Rebecca Bradley's number and was pretty sure she'd find the information she wanted about her mom. Becca made the choice to confront us as she did and yes I did it because I was jealous...and pissed. You know this already but I wanted to be the one to tell you. I'm not perfect Alex, you know that. I'm not innocent. No matter what comes from this meeting, we'll face it together." Piper leaned back against Alex and felt the security of her arms.

"You're my wife...my girl. Yeah, I knew you'd sent her daughter her way. You're right though she made her own choices. I like the possessive side of you Piper...you know you always made me feel like you cherished me. I often thought you only liked the life I provided, but when I was honest I could see all you really wanted was me. Now...now I know it is all about us with you. You took care of your family...who knows, maybe forcing things with her daughter was the best thing for Becca as well," Alex replied to her as she washed Piper's body. She rubbed her sex with the sponge until Piper started to moan. Alex flexed her muscles and held Piper's body just as she wanted it as she teased and played with her. The warmth of the bath became liquid torture and Alex manipulated her flesh until Piper was panting. She pulled her up and wrapped her in a towel with quick jerking movements.

Piper was breathless as Alex guided them to their bed. She kissed Piper and turned, picking her up and tossing her back through the air. Piper felt her stomach drop and the plush softness of the mattress underneath. Her damp, strong woman was coming at her with deep lust in her eyes. Piper could only shiver with sweet anticipation. They would fuck all fear away and face the dawn wrapped tightly around one another.

***Happy Easter to those that celebrate it. It has been a busy time for me and my family. Please review! Peace-Fae****