Alex was in the stock room going over inventory when she felt her phone vibrating in her back pocket. She pulled it out, smiling at the picture of Piper and Jack illuminating the screen.

"Hey, kid. I was just about to..."

"Alex," Piper cut her off, "this is important, just stay calm."

Her words had the opposite effect. Alex immediately tensed and put the clipboard and pen down, her hand balling into a fist.

"Are you okay?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"I'm fine. Jack had a little accident though..."

Alex could feel the blood drain from her face and her fingernails on the balled up fist digging into her palm, her pulse racing.

"Where are you?"

"Bellevue."

The hospital.

Alex dropped her cell phone and ran out of the stock room.

"Where's the fire, Vause?"

She heard Nicky's voice but didn't slow down. When she reached the railing separating the main floor from the offices and stock room she leaned on her left arm for support and easily swung her legs across, clearing it and picking up speed again once her feet hit the floor.

She didn't notice Taystee perk up from behind the register or Poussey walk around a wall of books, on alert from the sound of her running. They watched her bolt out the door and turned to Nicky when the bell over it chimed, signaling her exit.

"What the fuck?" Taystee yelled, her hands in the air.

"I never seen her run before," Poussey added, gawking.

"That makes two of us," Nicky said with a chuckle, walking back towards the stock room, looking for some clue to her best friend's sudden departure.

She heard Alex's phone before she saw it. She bent down to pick it up and jumped, startled when it started ringing again. Coughing to clear her throat and nerves, she swiped across the screen and answered it.

"Alex's phone, Notorious Nicky speaking, how may I service you?"

"Nicky! Is Alex there? I think she hung up, I've been calling."

"Ah, that would explain the flight of the conchords. She tore out of here a minute ago."

"Shit. Can you try to catch her? I'm at Bellevue. Jack had an accident. Nothing serious, just a few stitches, but I'm afraid she's going to give herself a heart attack before she gets here."

"Fuck," Nicky ran her hand up in her hair, scratching her head. "Yeah, I'll try. She ran out of here pretty fast though."

"Thanks, Nicky."

x

Alex had jumped in their SUV, not wanting to wait for a cab. She was regretting it now though, stuck in traffic a few blocks from the book store.

"Fuck this," she muttered to herself, pulling next to a red curb and getting out.

"Vause!"

Alex stilled, her hand pocketing the keys, and turned back to look at Nicky who was running to catch up to her, out of breath.

"I can't wait, Nick!"

"Piper said it's just stitches!"

"I don't care, I need to be there!"

Nicky grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back as she tried to run off again.

"You're gonna get towed, you're on the red."

Alex shook her off and tossed her the keys, "I have to go."

Nicky closed her mouth, she knew there was no point arguing. She could see the determination and fear on Alex's face.

"Go ahead, I'll take care of it. Just chill, she said it's not serious."

Alex scowled, "My kid's hurt. It's serious."

Nicky held her hands up and this time didn't protest when Alex ran off.

x

Piper jumped when the door flung open.

"Jack! Oh my god," Alex gasped seeing her son lying in the hospital bed, asleep with a large white bandage across his forehead.