Chapter 4

Night had already fallen when the black expedition had pulled up behind the hotel and killed the lights. The old box phone between the beds had rang once, announcing it's arrival, and with a quick glance between the blinds, they filed out of the room. They nervously surveyed the parking lot, eyes darting about wildly as they made their way.

It didn't take long for reality to catch up to them. They'd all been looking at the TV the moment their four faces had covered the screen. Time had stood still. Each picture was accompanied by their given names and what they were charged with. They'd labeled them 'possibly armed and extremely dangerous' before bringing special attention to Piper's picture, adding that she was also now wanted on the grounds of Aggravated Assault.

A wave of relief washed over her and she smiled, mouth open at the TV. "Assault! It's just assault!" She turned and caught Alex's amused expression. "Not Manslaughter."

Nicky's brow creased. "Jesus, Chapman... I didn't think you had it in you. I guess that explains the blood. Pennsatucky?" Piper just nodded, her smile fading.

"She had it coming." Alex rubbed Piper's back, a small attempt at comfort, though her words were directed at Nichols. She took the hint.

"Nice picture, by the way."

Piper laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Fucking Mendez."

It only took a little over 4 hours for them to make it to Philly. Traffic was surprisingly light, which made for good time, but each time they would pass a patrol car, all conversation would halt until they were certain they were in the clear. Alex's arm was draped across the back of the rear seat and Piper was pressed comfortably into her side, her head rested on Alex's shoulder.

"So, Charlie..." She started, and the driver they'd be quickly introduced to earlier, looked up at her in the rearview mirror. "What do you do when you're not harboring and transporting wanted fugitives?" She stifled a yawn into her fist. Car rides always drained her.

"Well, funny enough, I'm a P.O." His eyebrows quirked up, and she could tell by his eyes that he was smiling. Nicky just looked between Alex and the driver nervously. Alex just shrugged, careful not to disturb Pipers perch on her shoulder.

"You're a Parole Officer?"

"Yeah, that's how we met" Bree laughed from the front seat, playfully slapping Charlie on the arm. "So where we headed?" She asked, taking a quick survey of the surrounding area.

"Theres a Holiday Inn Express in Penn's Landing...right over by The Ben Franklin Bridge. Pretty quiet, but plenty of ways out. It's nice." He explained, taking a turn down one of the side streets. "By the way, I think you'll find the bag in the back helpful." Alex took a quick glance back towards the back hatch door. She spotted the plain black duffelbag shoved over in the corner with a pair of tennis shoes, a few empty water bottles and a gym towel. She knew that to most people, that would be a convincing disguise... but to someone like her. It was her job to come up with those convincing disguises...

Had been. she thought to herself. But then again, just because you get out of the game, didn't mean you ever really got it out of you. It had to become a part of who you are. Those who didn't fuse it into the deepest parts of their being never lasted very long before being caught.

"If it were really a gym bag, the gym gear would be inside it. Would it not?" Piper smirked up at her, knowing exactly the thoughts she had been milling around in that head of hers. Alex raised her eyebrows, pleasantly surprised.

"Well it sounds like someone has taught you well, young grasshopper." She smiled when Piper winked up at her, nudging her with her shoulder. They locked eyes for a beat too long and Piper broke the spell, dropping her gaze and pushing a few strands of hair behind her ear.

It was just after midnight when they pulled up in front of the hotel. Blue spotlights illuminated the southern side of the building giving the brick accents a more modern feel. Charlie parked off to the side, but left the truck running. He disappeared past the automatic door. A few minutes later, he returned and handed Bree a small envelope. "You ladies are covered for a few days. I'll be in touch and we'll figure out the next step. Don't do anything stupid before then." He gave her a small smile and she nodded, turning and opening the door. They said their thanks, grabbed the few things they had and climbed out, stretching their sore limbs. Bree grabbed the bag out of the back and put the strap over her shoulder.

They'd all had the thought to dump their khakis back in Cooperstown. They had their sweats, so there was no need in risking the added attention of those tell-tale uniforms.

According to the back of the small envelope, they were going to be staying on the tenth floor. They walked silently through the nicely decorated lobby, jumping slightly when the front desk attendant greeted them cheerfully. Piper smiled back at her, trying to act nonchalant. The golds, browns and beiges all gave the hotel a very comfortable feel.

The two queen size beds were situated across from a modern style dresser that held the large flat screen TV. The white sheets and pillows standing crisp against the dark wooden headboards. It was definitely an upgrade from the last hotel.

"Yeeeeaaaahhhhh" Nicky danced into the room, the most ridiculous look of happiness on her face. Piper laughed out loud as she walked over to the window. She pulled back the curtains and absorbed the beauty of the view. Alex came up behind her and wrapped her arms around her, resting her chin on her shoulder. The hotel was situated just near the western foot of Benjamin Franklin bridge. The blue mass of iron and steel stood out brilliantly against the New Jersey skyline. The lights from the neighboring marinas reflected off the gentle waves of the river and reminded Piper of one of the beautiful bridges they'd stayed near on one of their trips to Thailand. It's giant support wires shooting up into the night sky, the lights from which illuminated everything around them. It had truly been breathtaking.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Alex's sultry voice brushed her ears as she wrapped her arms around her from behind. She felt her lips on her shoulder, her neck. "I knew you'd love it."

"You've been here before?" Piper whispered, turning her face towards her. She felt Alex's hands slide under the edge of her shirt, then up over her ribs.

"Honey, there's very few places I haven't been."As she said it, her hands made their way under Pipers bra. Piper closed her eyes allowing her head to fall back against Alex's shoulder.

They'd never made it to the bed. Alex's fingers had worked their magic with them standing there in front of that window. Pipers arms bracing herself against the glass.

Piper shivered, remembering the feeling of Alex's arms holding her up as her knees had lost all ability to support her, and judging by the low noise that Alex made in her throat, Piper wasn't the only one reminiscing on that particular memory...

A\N: I'm sorry guys, things have been super busy around here lately, so I haven't been able to write and upload as much as I was hoping to be able to. I'm off of work today though, so I'm hoping be able to finish another chapter later. Again, thank you for all the reviews/follows/favorites! You're awesome. Let me know your thoughts!

-C