Chapter 3

"Yes" Piper said.

"No" Alex said, drawing Piper to her side. Sighing, Piper reached and opened the door further. "No, come in Lorna." Morello looked between the two, unsure of what she should do.

"You sure? I can come back later. It's just that Nicky comes home tomorrow and I'm so nervous and I…"

Piper grabbed her by the hand and pulled her into the apartment. She led her over to the sofa and sat her down. She told Alex to make coffee. Alex started to protest but Piper just looked at her. Reading her expression, Alex disappeared into the kitchen.

"Chapman, I didn't know who else to talk to about this. You were waiting on Alex when she came out. Can you give me some advice? What to expect and stuff? I don't want to seem too pushy but at the same time, I don't want her to think I don't care. Because I do. I care a lot. I just want to be perfect for her. She's worked so hard to stay clean and stay out of trouble."

"Honey, you know just as well as I do that nothing works the same for all of us. With Alex, it was different. We always loved each other and I think I always knew that I would wait for her. I just had to get over myself to see it and for her to believe it. She's always been my endgame. I've always been hers. You and Nicky are different than us. You're just going to have to be patient. Let her tell you what she needs and wants. Hold her when she's scared. Support her NA. If she needs space, give it to her. Don't worry, I think we both know Nicky enough to know that she's not going to be quiet about what she wants."

They were both laughing when Alex came in with the coffee. Alex handed Piper a mug and told her it was tea. Piper smiled and thanked her. Alex looked at Morello and said "So, tomorrow's the big day. You ready?"

Morello shrugged her shoulders and dipped her head to the side, saying quietly, "I want to be. But I don't know"

Alex moved on the other side of her and put her arm around her, hugging her close. She held her for a bit before saying "When my time was getting close, the only thing that kept me going, that kept me sane, was knowing Piper was on the other side of the fence, waiting for me. I was scared of how much everything had changed. I was scared that nothing had changed and I would fall right back into old habits. But then I would get a letter and her words were so full of love and encouragement. She was making plans, for both of us. I would close my eyes and breathe just a little easier. Nicky knows you're waiting. She knows you will hold her when she's scared. She knows you will carry her when she's weak. That's going to make it ok for you guys, you'll see."

Morello sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I don't know what we did to deserve you two, but I'm so happy we've got you! Dinner over the weekend? I want my girl to myself for a few days"

They all laughed and made plans to meet for dinner at a local café Saturday. Alex and Piper hugged her and told her to call if she needed anything else. Closing the door, Piper turned to look at Alex. She just stood there staring at her. Her eyes. Her lips. Her jawline. The way her hair draped over her shoulder. The slope of her neck.

"Stop staring Pipes. You know it leads to other things" Alex said.

"I knew you were scared to leave. I remember the same feelings. I was scared of a world without you though. Not being able to touch you every day. See you each morning. I was scared of who you would find comfort in once I was gone. I never told you that I was scared for you to come home to me too, though. I was terrified that I wasn't all you remembered me to be. That once you were out, you would realize that I was just the girl to get you through. I knew I wouldn't survive it if you decided that. I pretended a lot in those last months, all the while, holding my breath, waiting on you to bolt."

"Oh Pipes. No. you were never 'just the girl', you were the only girl. Always. Ever. When you left me the first time and I started doing heroine, you were the girl I was running from. When I saw you in the new arrivals line at Litchfield that day, my heart broke because I knew I did that to you. Before I knew it, you were the girl I was running to. Even when I thought I hated you, even when I didn't want to, you were always the girl I ran to. You always have been and always will be, the girl that gets me through…everything." Her voice cracked as she said the last part and Piper rushed into her arms. She held her tight and whispered in her ear. They stood there holding each other for a long time. Piper started swaying, moving Alex with her. "Alex, do you remember the first time you slow danced with me? I was so nervous and clumsy, I kept stumbling and stepping on your feet?"

Alex, snickering, said "God Kid, you nearly broke all my toes that night! I thought you had drank way more than you should have. But I also thought you were an adorable drunk and I couldn't wait to take you home with me."

Piper leaned back and said "I knew then that you were it for me. If someone could make me a sober drunk, they were worth the long haul. That's the night I fell in love with you. Look at us now Al, look at what that night lead to."

Alex smiled softly at her and tucked her hair behind her ears. She bent to kiss her and as she touched her lips she said "I knew from the fake resume that you were the one for me."

Alex kissed her then. Really kissed her. She lifted Piper up and Piper wrapped her legs around Alex's hips, grinding into her. Whimpering in her throat, Piper broke the kiss and said "Finish what you started in the shower Vause, Mama's hungry"

Alex threw back her head and laughed, "You got it Kid!"