A/N: I just wanted to thank you all for your comments, its been a long time since I've written any kind of fanfiction (around 6 years I think) so its really encouraging to have such positive feedback.

This chapter is nearly all Vauseman, so it was quite a lot of fun to write. I have actually just bought a new laptop, so that addedwith the fact I'm trialling some non windows word processing software has meant this chapter have been written during a bit of a frustrating battle. I think technology won. Hopefully there wont be too many mistakes.

Oh and as a little disclosure, obviously I don't own any of the characters from OITNB, and this chapter also includes some heavy quoting from the show.

Chapter 6 - Never Friends

The week at work had been much like any other, except for the presence of her skittish ex-girlfriend. Alex had spent the weekend coming terms with the idea that she could be seeing a lot of her ex-girlfriend. As Monday morning arrived, she still felt the same anxiety, her mind continued to circle around the woman who had broken her heart three years ago, but she had gained a level of control. She knew Piper, she knew what made the woman tick, she knew what she liked, what she disliked. She knew how to get under her skin. Piper, she had concluded, would fundamentally still be the same person, only in different circumstances, though she didn't know what those circumstances might be..

It was early morning, the California sun was beaming down on Alex as she leaned against the brick wall at the back of the book store. She had arrived at 7am ready for the 7.30am delivery which she receipted every Thursday. Alex gave a yawn as she checked the time on her phone. It was now 8.45, she had moved the boxes into the stock room and was enjoying an unofficial break while it was still quiet. Wednesday had been Piper's day off, and it had been her day off the day before that, so she hadn't seen her since Monday.

"Coffee?" A familiar voice was calling from inside the stock room. A voice Alex had not expected to hear.

"Piper?" She walked back inside the stock room to find the Blonde trying to navigate her way through the maze of shelving units, "over here!"

The blonde turned around and walked the towards her, her lips curled into what Alex recognised as her shy smile. "Nikki's dealing with some big mix-up with the bread order, she asked me to bring you this," she held the paper cup of coffee towards Alex, "said you wouldn't be able to survive your shift without it. And I know how you are in the mornings.." She looked down at her feet as though she had said too much.

"Right," Alex took the cup and eyed Piper with curiosity. She was fairly certain her best friend, knowing their history, wouldn't have made Piper her first choice for the coffee delivery, but maybe there hadn't been anyone else around.. She thought back to Pipers arctic behaviour, and how she had told her to "go away." She wanted to give Piper the cold shoulder.

"I put two sugars in there," Piper shoved her hands into the front pocket of her apron, she had always been a fidgety when nervous. Alex looked at her coffee and suppressed the smile threatening to break through her lips; Piper had remembered how she took her coffee.

"Aren't I sweet enough already?" she cocked her eyebrow suggestively.

Piper couldn't think of a response and so she simply gave an eye roll.

"I don't remember any complaints from you in that department," the raspy voice teased.

Piper's eyes widened, she lifted her chin in the air, "I don't think that's very appropriate in the workplace," she said curtly.

Alex laughed, "it wasn't very appropriate on a tourist beach in Bali, but we made it work"

Piper was unable to stop the smile as her mind flooded with the memory of the pair of them drinking strong cocktails on the white sandy beach. She could clearly remember their sexcapades, which weren't limited to but most definitely included the beach in Bali.

Her eyes met Alex's, and for the first time, she didn't look away.

"Hey Pipes," Alex's voice was softer now, more serious. She was saying hello to her properly this time.

"Hey Alex," Piper spoke back, mirroring her tone.

"How've ya been?" Alex made an attempt at casual, although their situation was anything but.

"I'm doing OK," Piper said, although there were a million other things she wanted to say, but felt that she shouldn't. It wouldn't be fair to, not on Alex, not on Larry, and not on herself.

"Yeah?" Alex had hoped for more, "me too."

"Nikki told me you left the business?"

Referring to the cartel as "the company" or "the business" had always been their way of communicating about Alex's previous line of work.

Alex nodded her head, "I've gone straight.. apparently I'm not the only one?" she teased.

"A lot has changed, I've changed.." Piper didn't feel confident about what she was saying. Had she changed that much in three years? Her life certainly had, but had she?

"Are you sure about that?"

"I have a boyfriend now," Piper stated, as though this was evidence enough.

"Right," Alex said with a smirk.

Piper looked at her for a moment, she wanted to challenge her but decided to change the subject back to Alex instead, "so, when did you leave?"

"Ran," Alex corrected her, "I ran away a few weeks after you left.."

"You ran?" Piper had known this from Nikki, but she wasn't sure how Alex had outsmarted the head of an international drug cartel.

"Yep, from Cambodia," Alex folded her arms across her chest.

"And Kubra?"

"Has no idea where I am.."

"Has no idea where you.." Piper repeated, she was suddenly filled with concern, "Alex, what if he finds you?"

"He hasn't yet," Alex simply stated, though she couldn't help but think back to the week before when she had thought she had been followed from New York. It had just been a coincidence.

"Alex! He will find you!"

Alex gave a shrug, perhaps if she acted like she wasn't bothered, Piper would calm down.

It was a little heavy for this time in the morning, but she didn't mind the weight of the conversation, it was the first time she and Piper had properly spoken in over three years.

"Ugh!" Piper's hands came out of her pocket, tightly balled into fists. "That is just so like you, isn't it?!"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Her eyebrows dipped into a frown.

"You may not care about yourself enough, but other people do!"

Alex took in a deep breath, her strategy for keeping calm, "not enough to stick around though, eh?"

"That was different!" Piper contested.

They stared at each other in silence, both with so much more to say, but neither wanting to continue the argument. If only they had been able to show such a level of control three years ago, thought Alex.

"I better get back up there," said Piper eventually. She turned to leave, but felt a soft hand wrap around her wrist, not so tight as to cause any discomfort but tight enough to stop her in her tracks.

"I'm sorry," Alex spoke.

Piper could see the sincerity in her eyes, and she knew without the need for confirmation, that the apology wasn't meant for just now, it was meant for then. It was meant for three years ago.

"Me too," she answered, and she was sorry, she had always been sorry. It was only now, faced with the woman who had stolen her heart all those years ago, that she realised she would never stop being sorry.

Piper looked down at the long soft fingers now loosely holding her wrist, aware that it was the first time she and Alex had touched since Paris. She watched as the hand released her and moved back towards its owner, she looked back up at Alex, her heart beating hard in her chest. She wanted to reach out for her, wanted to take those lips between her own and kiss her as hard as she could.. but she couldn't, she had Larry now. She felt a little resentment for her boyfriend, and then guilt knowing that he didn't deserve it. It wasn't his fault that he was in the way...

"I'd better go," Piper said.

Alex nodded and checked her watch, it was just past 9.00am. She needed to get on with organising the new stock.

Saturday night came around quickly, Piper had been fortunate enough to land Sunday off, so as she took a sip of her margarita, she knew that she wouldn't have to worry about suffering a groggy head at work the next day. Larry would probably tease her a little, but she knew he would help to nurse her aching head.

While this was the first time Piper had socialised with anyone from work outside of the confines of the book store, she knew that everyone would be on their best behaviour, or at least until the effects of the alcohol set in. She had decided, especially with Alex present, to err on the edge of caution.

Piper could see from the corner of her eye that Alex was watching her again, as she had been all evening. She wasn't even hiding it. She looked past her boss who was telling her a story from a previous "Book Ends" night out, he obviously found the story quite humorous, so she laughed when he did, and nodded her head encouragingly. She watched as Alex tipped her head back to drink from her beer bottle, exposing the pale skin of her neck. Piper bit her lip, thinking about how she would place small kisses along the soft skin there.

Alex placed the bottle back onto the bar. It was nearing midnight and she hadn't spoken to Piper yet this evening, in fact she hadn't spoken to her since Thursday morning. She'd known then that whatever it was that existed between her and Piper, it was still very much alive. Although she was curious to explore it once more, she'd been hurt by the woman before, and while she wanted to protect herself from ever having to feel that pain again, there was something inevitable about Piper.

She smirked into the bottle as she remembered the dark haired man who had visited the store on Monday afternoon, he must have been Piper's boyfriend. While her stomach had twisted with jealousy as she watched the man move in closer to her ex-girlfriend, she had been satisfied with the piercing look she'd received from the blonde as she dodged his lips.

Alex turned around in her stool, Nikki was beside her in deep conversation with one of the guys from the store. Piper was talking with Rick, the manager of the coffee shop, and she looked bored. Alex caught her eye, and held her gaze before Piper moved her eyes away and attempted to look interested in whatever her manager was saying. She thought back to how she had once hoped she could win her ex-girlfriend back, it had been that hope which helped her through her escape from the cartel. But when she had settled into her new life, she'd let go of that hope, resigned to the fact that Piper was just another story from her past. Had Piper done the same? Was she avoiding Alex because she didn't want to think about "them", or because she did? Was Piper scared?

Alex took another swig of her bottle, emptying it as she thought back to the touch of their hands in the stock room, and their apologies. Had Piper meant that she was sorry for leaving her in Paris? Of course, it wasn't nearly as good enough of an apology for breaking her heart, but she had seemed sincere, there had been some pain in those blue eyes.

"Hey Alex!" A pretty red head had arrived suddenly, interrupting her thoughts. She placed her wine glass down beside Alex and stood unnecessarily close to her. Alex didn't have to turn around to see who it was.

"Hi Jules" she took the glass and helped herself to the contents, "when did you get here?" She looked up, red curls of hair framed the pale face of the woman beside her, the long dark eyelashes fluttered over deep emerald eyes.

"Just now, saw you watching the blonde in the corner," the woman licked her lips, "thought I would see if I could change your mind?"

Alex looked at Piper. She felt Jules fingertips as they touched her chin, softly but firmly, the woman turned Alex's face towards her own.

"Don't tell me you were considering turning down my offer?" the red haired woman seemed amused, she closed the distance between them, the curls of her hair tickling Alex's face, "I'm a sure thing.." She whispered into her ear.

Alex considered this for a moment. Jules was good in bed, she was sexy, and on a physically basis only, the two women knew each other well. Alex knew that Jules was interested in changing the status of their relationship, but the red haired woman lacked something.. She couldn't place her finger on what that something was, but she just couldn't see the woman as anything other than a fuck buddy. Opting to make sure the woman understood the parameters of their relationship, she said "why don't you come back later?"

"I'm second choice to her? She's not even your type!" The woman spat.

Alex rolled her eyes.

The red haired moved in a little closer, "I could show you a much better time," she placed a soft lingering kiss on her lips.

Alex looked past the red head, she could sense that Piper had been watching their exchange, and couldn't suppress a smirk.

"See.." the red haired woman had misunderstood the expression, "I knew you'd see sense."

Alex rolled her eyes again, "Excuse me," she brushed past Jules as she jumped down from the bar stool.

"Save my seat," Alex spoke to Nikki, and left without another word to the red-haired woman. She weaved her way through the sea of bodies and walked towards the toilets. There was a small queue. She leaned against the wall, and smiled as Piper headed towards her.

"What is your problem?" Piper spat at her.

Alex gave her a shrug, "no problem," and held her hands up, palms facing forward in defence.

Piper's eyes narrowed, "why do you have to do this?"

"Do what?" Alex folded her arms across her chest, trying to suppress a smile.

"This!" Piper's fist was balled in frustration.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes you do."

"Is it working?" Alex winked playfully, knowing how she was aggravating the woman and enjoying her eaction.

"No!"

Alex smirked, she knew better.

"Don't give me that look," Piper warned.

"Or what?" Alex raised her eyebrows, threats from Piper were like barks from a puppy.

"Just don't, you can't just.." she started, but couldn't find the words to finish her sentence.

"I can't do what?" She leaned in close, knowing that Piper had always struggled when she whispered into her ear. It was too loud in the bar for her hear the small gasp that escape Pipers lips, but Alex felt sure she'd achieved it.

Piper stumbled back, bumping into someone walking by, she apologised before turning to face Alex. The queue moved slightly, so she moved with it, "where's your girlfriend?"

"My girlfriend?" Alex asked.

"Yeah."

Alex smiled, she ran her tongue along her back teeth. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Piper shrugged it off, "Never mind."

"No," Alex was smiling wider now, determined to get it out of her, "what do you mean by that?"

"I said, nothing, never mind," Piper's voice had gotten an octave higher.

"What, did you expect me to wait for you to come around?" Alex asked, wondering if Piper was actually jealous of her playmate.

"Come around?" the blonde asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Yeah."

"As in "get back together" come around? Are you kidding me?!" Piper exclaimed, "I have a boyfriend."

"Right."

"You know what? Do not confuse this," Piper looked at Alex with frustration, "maybe, just maybe, we will get friendly again. Maybe."

"We were never friends, Piper." The words felt blunter than she'd meant them.

"We weren't?"

"No. Not for a second," she answered, "I loved you, I loved having sex with you."

As their eyes met, it was as though everything around them had vanished in light of this sudden truth.

"And more importantly," Alex broke through the tension between them, "I'm not suggesting that I want you back, you park slope narcissist!"

Piper looked at her with a mixture of hurt and amusement, "well that's alright then, because I'm with Larry now.." she said, more of a reminder to herself than to Alex.

"Larry?!" Alex repeated his name, "oh you have gone straight, haven't you Pipes?" she joked.

Piper gave her a light punch on the arm, "stop it," she warned with a smile. She felt bad about Larry. He was sat at home waiting for her, clueless that she was in the company of her ex-girlfriend. With that thought in mind, she made an excuse to Alex who responded with a knowing look, and she disappeared back into the crowd of the bar.

Once Alex had refreshed herself in the bathroom, she returned back to her stool beside the bar, relieved that Jules hadn't waited for her.

"Thanks for leaving me with her," Nikki complained, "the crazy bitch ranted to me about you being an emotional fuck up, incapable of human relationships or some shit."

"She's probably right," she laughed.

"Did I see you talking to Piper?" Nikki asked.

"Fuck me, do you see everything Nichols?!"

"I am a lesbian god, I am all seeing and all knowing." Nikki bowed her head.

"Bullshit, you're just a nosy fucker!"

"Yes, but I did see you talking to Piper, didn't I?" Nikki asked, her tone more serious.

"Yeah, we talked.. she's got a boyfriend," Alex rolled her eyes, summarising thejr conversation.

"And that's relevant because you want to dine at her pink taco?"

"No," Alex laughed at her friends grotesque description, "well, I mean, maybe.."

Nikki nodded her head in understanding, "but you're worried about the sour cream?"

"Ew!" Alex looked at her best friend in disgust, "No!"

"So whatcha gonna do?"

Alex shrugged, "To hell if I fucking know."

"Chad!" Nikki called out the name of one of the bartenders, "Four jagers," she ordered, and wiggled her eyebrows at Alex, "tomorrow's gonna hurt," she warned Alex.

Alex took the first shot back with no issue, and watched as Nikki took the second without delay. She followed suit.

As the bar became quieter, Alex had a better view of Piper. She was laughing with two of the other girls who worked at the coffee shop. Alex knew that she shouldn't pursue Piper, not if she had a boyfriend, but she still felt that she had a claim on her. Deciding that now would be a good time to leave, before alcohol completely clouded her judgement, Alex finished the last of her beer and agreed with Nikki that she would wait for her outside until the woman had finished her drink and had said goodbye to some of her friends.

The air outside was cool but still. She leaned against the wall, and took her phone out from her pocket. It was 3am. The store opened later on a Sunday, she didn't need to be in work until 10.30am. At least she would get some sleep.

"Aleeeex," a high pitched voice slurred her name. The blonde stumbled towards her.

"Piper," she grabbed her firmly, her hands resting at the woman's hips as she tried to steady her.

"Alex," she smiled back at her dreamily.

"Ok, ok, I've seen that look before, let's get you into a cab and back to your Larry."

"Fuck Larry," Piper frowned, "I didn't mean that," she said, conflicted.

Alex reassured her, "I know you didn't."

Steadily, Alex guided Piper towards the taxi cue, "I'll wait with you until you're in a cab."

Piper gave Alex a smile, "where's Nikki?" she asked.

"She's finishing up."

"She's a good friend," Piper nodded, "she cares, you know?"

"I know," Alex smiled.

"Hey Alex?" Piper's eyebrows dipped in thought.

"Yeah?"

"I missed you.."

"I missed you too, kid," Alex smiled, she was tempted to believe this was just the alcohol talking, but knew that Piper meant it.

"Hey Alex?"

"Yeah?"

Soft lips were suddenly against hers, she could taste tequila, and although she wanted to kiss the blonde back, she knew that she shouldn't. Piper was drunk, and would only regret it in the morning. If they were to do this again, Alex wanted them to do it right.

Piper stepped back with a hurt expression.

"Not now," Alex took one of Pipers hands and held it between her own, "not like this."

Piper nodded, and then she threw up.

Alex laughed, she rubbed small circles on Pipers back as the woman bent forward coughing, "thanks for that, I was just thinking of painting my shoes in that exact shade of vomit."