Chapter Twenty Eight

The ambulance ride was a blur. Alex didn't wake at all. Piper was worried and kept asking them if it was a bad sign she had only regained consciousness to moan some. They tried to tell her she'd be okay but they weren't telling her how severe her concussion actually was...Piper had to resist googling concussions on her phone. Once they got to the hospital got out first then followed Alex inside. She was ushered behind a door to the ER floor and Piper was directed to a counter to fill out insurance information.

"I want to go with my wife, " she said stubbornly. A nurse told her to let the doctors work and then she could see her. She said they'd be out shortly to let her know. Lorna and Nicky showed up then.

Piper teared up when she saw them. " She fell and she won't wake up. Nicky...she hit her head it was bleeding," Piper stumbled. She had blood on her hand and sleeve from pressing the towel to her head laceration.

"Are you hurt hun?" Lorna said after Piper let go of Nicky. Piper shook her head then stared at the door that Alex was whisked behind. Lorna took the insurance form and Nicky directed her to sit down. She tried to get her to sit where she couldn't see the door but Piper refused. She just kept staring at it. She wasn't sure how long she could stay out there. Alex was inside and no one was with her. She was helpless and Piper felt the panic start to rise in her throat. Piper remembered the feeling of weightlessness that came with her fever and how she couldn't defend herself.

Alex's face flashed before her then. Even though they were barely talking and Piper was convinced she was fucking Nicky at that time, Alex was so worried about her then. She wasted all that time by choosing Larry. What if this was all the happiness they were allowed to have? Lorna was asking Piper questions and she turned to look at her. She stared at her mouth but no sound came out.

"Piper...um nurse, I think my friend is like in shock or something. Look they both are survivors of assault and she needs to see her wife," Nicky explained. Piper got up and moved towards the door. Nicky and the nurse followed as she ran through the doors to another hallway. She started to push back curtains, looking for Alex frantically.

"Woah, Chapman...woah come on, they'll come get ya when you can see her," Nicky tried to conjole her and pull her back to the waiting area. Piper would have none of it. She found Alex with three two nurses and a Doctor doing an exam.

"you can't be in here," one of the nurses said as she tried to push Piper back. Piper just looked at her and stood firm. She flexed and tensed her entire body and looked at the woman like she was nothing but a gnat buzzing about her head. She stopped trying to strong arm Piper out.

"That is my wife...you're not going to like what I do if you keep trying to keep us apart," Piper explained in a tone that made the nurse step back. Nicky finally caught up to her.

"I swear, I need friends with shorter legs. Come on Chapman, let them work, we'll stand right here. Don't get thrown out of the hospital. See there she is the Doc is checking her out," Nicky observed as she put her arm around Piper's waist lightly. Piper looked at her.

"My name is Vause now. I changed it," she said...more tears fell. Alex doesn't know...she never got to tell her.

"Wow, congrats Cha-um well that is gonna take some getting used to. I guess we should all try and use our first names more. Hey, Lorna can only fill out so much of that information, come on back with me and this nurse here will come get you as soon as she has anything to report," Nicky tried to move Piper as she spoke but she stood firm. She moved out of the way more in the corner but she crossed her arms and gave Nicky a look that told her she was just done. Nicky sighed and moved over with her to the corner.

"You might as well just give up. She isn't budging...trust me she is stubborn as a mule," Nicky said, then she winced at using that term with Alex's wife. It made Piper smile some but her eyes were on Alex's pale face.

The doctor ordered more tests. Piper asked why and he explained that they wanted to make sure there was no swelling on her brain. Even the thought of something impairing her brain made Piper's legs go weak and Nicky had to hold her up. They were wheeling her away and Piper followed by her side.

"Just going to run some tests, then you'll be right back...nothing to worry about Alex. I'm going to be right here," Piper said to her. She just wanted Alex to open her eyes. Piper was told she'd have to wait until she returns once they reached the double doors on the hall. She stopped before the doors and watched as Alex disappeared from view. She stood there in the middle of the hall with Nicky by her side.

"I'm gonna kill that bitch, "Nicky exclaimed. Piper didn't have to ask who.

"Taystee laid her out...I..wanted to so badly Nicky...but they would have arrested me and I couldn't have gone with Alex," Piper explained. Nicky told her she was proud of her for making a good choice. She tried to get Piper to leave the middle of the hallway but she just stood there looking at the door. Piper was unaware of how long it was but Roger and Chris showed up. She felt awful for not calling them.

"No problem Piper, come on back here to the waiting room. Lorna needs your input on the forms and you're worrying us," Roger said frankly.

"But..." Piper looked at the door where she last saw Alex. She didn't want to leave this spot until she was with her again. She looked at him and tears sprung up in her eyes. He hugged her tightly and told her that there was no guarentee she'd come back through that door.

Piper allowed herself to be walked back to the waiting area. She answered all of Lorna's questions about Alex and their insurance. She even produced her card so she could copy the policy number down. Piper thanked her for all her help but kept her eyes on the hallway.

Finally, the doctor from the ER came out to speak with her. His name was Dr. Finkbiner," Mrs. Vause, your wife is going to be just fine. There was no swelling on her brain that we can see. She has a concussion, yes but really it is mild considering what could have happened. The laceration on her head required six stitches but it should heal fine. She is bruised all over her side and will be sore for a few days. She is responding well to the medication and we made a note not to give her narcotics. She is a lucky woman and as we took her out of the CAT scan she started to wake up. I believe she is asking for you now. She is on the third floor, room 318. " Piper jumped up and kissed him on the cheek then ran for the elevators. She heard Roger ask more questions but Nicky was hot on her heels.

She got on the elevator and pressed the correct floor. "Come on you stone age piece of shit," Piper mumbled when the doors didn't close fast enough.

"Hey Chap- um Vause #2, chill out. She is okay...that is something to celebrate...you'll see her soon enough," Nicky replied. Piper snorted but she did reach out and hug Nicky to her.

Alex was going to be alright. Piper was elated and felt a world of stress just disappear. Once off the elevator, Nicky navigated her to the right room. It wasn't too far from where Piper was after the accident. She couldn't believe their bad luck. She and Alex traveled all over the world and never had crap like this happen to them. Less than a year together in New York and they've both been in the hospital. She realized that Alex had been where she was more than once and she couldn't imagine how she handled it so well.

She went in the room quickly and ran into the barrel chest of an orderly. He was carrying a pan of what smelled like vomit.

"Was she sick?" Piper asked. He told her it was common with a head injury and she was fine now. Piper darted around him and to Alex's side. The nurses were checking her vitals but got out of the way when Piper approached.

"Hey baby...oh Alex," Piper whispered. Alex looked over to her and tears started to fall.

"You didn't...oh Piper I was so afraid when I woke up after that test and you weren't there. I thought...I thought.." Alex closed her eyes. Piper hushed her with soft kisses on her forehead.

"Nothing to worry about there Vause #1, your girl made a smart choice...she didn't get arrested. I guess we are rehabilitated eh?" Nicky quipped. Piper could tell though that Nicky was really happy to see her best friend.

"Number one? I'm the only one you mean..." Alex replied with a confused expression. Nicky looked over at Piper confused.

"I didn't get to tell her..you know..the whole falling down a flight of stairs after a fight while fighting with her Ex-lover took place," Piper explained with a shrug.

"What? Explain to me what you didn't tell me?" Alex asked. She tried to sit up and seemed to pale some. Piper and Nicky both pressed her back gently. Before Piper could answer, Roger, Chris and Lorna walked into the room. Alex smiled seeing them and Piper felt bad for running off and leaving them.

"Nice to see you there, girl. Damn...you'll do anything to get out of cooking me dinner, "he teased Alex. She smiled back at him and thanked him for being there. "Piper the doctor said that Alex had to stay here overnight for observation but if all checked out fine, she could go home tomorrow. I also asked about traveling and he said she could take the trip Thursday but she had to take it easy once in New Orleans," Roger explained. Piper blew him a kiss because there was no way she was letting go of Alex's hand to go hug him. She hadn't even thought about asking when Alex got out or about the travel. She just wanted to see her. She was very lucky to have friends...no a family like this.

"No, I'm going to cancel the speech and luncheon. We'll take it easy-" Piper stated.

"Absolutely not. We had to cancel our mountain trip due to your accident...our problems earlier had you cancel some of your trip already. We're going and that is final Piper. I will do everything the doctor says and rest all tonight and the next few days. If I'm not feeling well, I promise I'll not get on the plan Wednesday night but you are going to do it," Alex demanded. Piper squinted at her and started to argue but then she remembered what Alex looked laying at the bottom of the stairs.

"Okay, whatever you want," Piper whispered to her. Lorna came over and give Alex a kiss on the cheek. She told Piper she was going to step outside and call Taystee with an update. Alex asked what happened with Becca and Piper didn't really know.

" I saw Taystee knock her ass down and the cops came over to arrest...someone. Becca was mouthy to them and pulled away from Officer Hardy when she tried to keep her separate. She did assess your injuries and was trying to help but I couldn't take it anymore. Did she...Alex...did she push you?" Piper asked in a hushed tone.

"No, I slipped. Becca tried to catch me but I guess from your angle that looked different. How is Taystee? Where is Becca now?" Alex asked quickly. Her mind was clearing and Piper could tell she was in pain but she was focused.

It was Chris that answered. "The Cops took her in for assault. Tasha was at the store when we came by and gave us the information. She told me that she was commended for assisting the cops. She made it sound like the officers were happy to take Becca and not charge Tasha. Oh and Tasha said she was given a breathalyzer and it proved she was drunk. "Chris was the only person that ever referred to Taystee by Tasha. She realized that Taystee not getting arrested...this was a benefit of their good relationship with the cops. They never had cop friends before but now that Alex was legit, she felt comfortable around them. Well, at least the two beat cops that frequent the store.

Everyone stayed for a few minutes more and Piper made her own phone calls to tell her folks, Annette and Polly about the situation. Annette was happy to hear she was alright and made Piper promise to make Alex call her cousin once she was feeling better and at home. Lorna left her telling her that she'd bring them both some fresh clothes and things in the morning first thing. Piper told her she didn't know what she'd do without her.

"You don't have ta find out Piper...that is the beauty of our friendship," Lorna replied and then they hugged.

Once they were all out of the room, Piper was so happy to be alone with her wife. She climbed up in the bed immediately and Alex chuckled softly. She winces as her head moved too much and she relaxed into the bed after scooting over some for Piper.

"You scared me. Oh Alex...I can't imagine what it must have been like for you at Litchfield while I was in the hospital. Don't you ever do that again!" Piper whispered. She was crying now and Alex was consoling her. She told Piper she'd be more careful and that she hoped Piper never knew what it was like to be restrained from being with her.

"There is no razor while and cuffs that can keep us apart now. We're a family and that comes with good and bad. I'm sorry I can't put you on that sybian tonight. You're gonna have to wait until I get more strength...then watch out!" Alex said with a sexy grin. Piper laughed and kissed her again.

"They're gonna wake me up every so often but you're welcome to try and nap with me," Alex explained. Piper asked her about the pain and if she wanted some sort of meds. Her wife told her she had taken some tylenol and it was working some. She wanted to give Alex more...to make her feel better but she knew it was too tempting for her and it could trigger her cravings for harder narcotics. So she just snuggled up and held her softly. She placed her ear on her chest and listened to the thump thump thump of her heart.

"Hey...what did Nicky mean by calling me Vause #1?" she asked in a sleepy voice. Piper smiled and reached in her back pocket. She pulled out her ID and held it up to Alex's face.

"Holy shit...you...you changed your name," Alex exclaimed. Piper lifted her head and looked at her. The emotion in her eyes make Piper flush all over. It was a good surprise..Piper wiped her eyes as she felt the emotions bubble over as tears...then she kissed her softly.

"Yep. I am Mrs. Alex Vause...your one and only wife. Now, sleep my dear heart...I'm here and you're going to be fine," Piper assured her. Alex told her how much she loved her and clutched Piper's license in her hand as she drifted off to sleep. Piper sat up on her elbow and watched the face of the only person on the planet that could make her happy.

"One and only dear wife..one and only," she whispered to her sleeping form before she lowered her head again to her chest.

****See...ya worried for nada! I love the reviews...please let me know what you think about the whole Trilogy. I'm soooo excited for Friday I can hardly stand it! Peace, Fae***