Authors note, sorry for the delay in updates, I have rewritten this chapter too many times to think about. Thank you for everyone who has taken time to review. As ever, I own nothing. Hope you enjoy.

"It was a simple well worked action, unlock home screen open messages, a simple action she had performed on numerous occasions throughout a normal day but never as many times as she had since waking.

"Hey you got signal?"

"Yep why? Your network down?"

"Just checking", came the brief reply. Thoughts whirred in her head, the conversation at the bar, the light physical contact, the flustered response these had elicited. Trying to replay the all too brief conversation brought a smile to her lips and caused her once again to think of how things could have been different. If only their conversation hadn't been cut short who knows how the evening may have ended. One word kept creeping its way annoyingly to the front of her mind 'girlfriend'. Vaguely aware of a voice in the distance, a voice that was now getting louder pulled her from her thoughts.

"Hey, you've been fidgeting with that phone like its the last piece of technology on earth, what's with you today?"

"Nothing, just thinking"

"Well tell your brain to quieten down I can hear the cogs turning from here".

Conversation... flirting...home screen...messages...girlfriend

"Hey you know we're not meant to have our phones out in here, put it away before you get spotted". Complying and slipping in back into her pocket, the internal dialogue continued.

A few words, a few simple words, that's all it needs to be.

...

Staring into space Piper was suddenly aware of a number of people staring at her.

"wha...what ?"

"Have you been listening to a word we've been saying?"

"Course I have" a slight blush creeping on to her lips knowing she had been caught day dreaming, again.

"We were just discussing getting together to do some cramming for the midterms" Polly reiterated, slightly annoyed at Pipers air headedness.

"Yeah we were thinking we could meet up tomorrow afternoon and revise as a group" Larry added.

"Yeah, yes, that sounds good, I cant believe we have exams so soon". Piper had aspired to being a grade 'A' student but she had often fallen short despite hours of study. This chipped away at her confidence and it was a character trait she wished she didn't have. Neither of her brothers got so wound up about school work. Danny hadn't needed to, he aced everything he turned his hand to without thinking and Cal, well Cal just didn't care what he got. Why couldn't she be more like her brothers she thought to herself?

...

Darkness was beginning to descend and as it did the cold was beginning to creep in chilling both Alex and Nicky to their bones as they paced slowly behind the cordon trying to keep some feeling in their toes. They had been guarding the scene of a murder from the start of their shift and as the level of police activity at the scene had reduced Alex found her mind wandering again. Once again Alexs hand fell to her phone.

"Jeez Vause, what is up with you?"

'Im pining over a maybe encounter with a robbery victim we brought in weeks ago who I feel drawn to and keep bumping into' Alex thought to herself.

"Nothing, I'm fine, what's up with you?"

Nicky huffed, she had known Alex for many years and knew how stubborn she was, if she didn't want to talk about something, she would not talk about it, this didn't stop Nicky from trying though.

"Women trouble?", with Alex this was a safe bet so Nicky decided to probe further.

"Is it Sylvie, is she being too demanding in bed?", this earned Nicky a trade mark raised eye brow.

"OK, she's not being demanding enough in bed?!", Alex smiled and punched Nicky playfully on the arm.

"Hey I know a sexually frustrated Vause when I see one" Nicky shot back.

Then it happened, the silent vibration of her phone indicating a message had been received, eyes visibly brightening Alex quickly removed her phone and unlocked the home screen. Her initial excitement was dashed when she read the message

Sylvie - Hey babe, we're going out for a meal with some of my friends from work this evening so don't be late from work. Xxx

Great she thought to herself, a crappy end to a crappy day. It's not that Alex didn't like Sylvies friends, but she needed to be in the right mood to deal with them, a mood which was nearly always enhanced with neat alcohol but given her shift pattern this was not an option for tonight. Their conversations revolved around work, so Alex immediately felt excluded and Sylvie was the only person who insisted on forcing these after work outings on their significant other, but Alex had learned that politely declining the offer or a flat out refusal to go would result in Sylvie flipping into days long sulks so it was easier to endure an evening from hell than days of tension.

Alex - Great, can't wait Ax

Sylvie - Cool, can you wear something smarter than jeans, I want you to make an effort for my friends Xxx

Alexs face fell, for all of her confidence she always felt that Sylvies friends looked down on her, and now her girlfriend was criticising her outfit choices, it was going to be a long evening.

"Earth to Vause, hey you ok? Is it your mum is she sick again?"

Nickys words came with genuine concern, she loved Dianne Vause more than her own mum and knowing how it had just been Alex and her mum growing up she knew just how important she was to her.

"No, just Sylvie"

"Whats up? Have you two had another fall out?"

"No, we're good, just got to go out with her friends this evening". A thought flashed through Alexs mind, "Hey do you fancy tagging along?"

"Ah, I'd love to but I promised Lorna I'd take her to see some romantic chick flick at the movies"

Alex smirked, "guess were both in for crappy evenings then"

Sensing her friends disappointment Nicky added, "Hey if you're still out when the movies over, we'll meet you for a nightcap"

Another 40 minutes left of their shift, the medical examiner and their team were still working away busily, trying the obtain and analyse microscopic pieces of evidence. Alex felt her phone vibrate, she sighed assuming it was Sylvie with another 'request' for this evening. Alexs eyes went wide with surprise.

Unknown number - Hey, thanks for the note, very sneaky! I was wondering if you were free for that drink tonight, if you're not working or busy? Going out of my mind revising. P :)

"Fuck", she hadn't meant to say the word out loud, however Nicky either didn't hear or chose not to. Stupid Sylvie, stupid meal, fuck.

Alex - Hey, what can I say Im stealth like. I'd love to meet up but I'm busy tonight, sorry Ax

Pipers heart sank when she read those final words, it had taken her all day to pluck up the courage to text Alex and now she was cut down within minutes of sending it. Just as she was debating whether or not to reply straight away another text came through.

Alex - Im early shift tomorrow. How about coffee tomorrow afternoon? Ax

Unknown number - Yep sounds great, do you have anywhere in mind? P :)

Trying to think of somewhere easy to find for a non native Alex replied quickly, barely able to contain her excitement

Alex - I'll meet you on the steps of the public library

Alex - Its on fifth avenue

Unknown number - what time?

Alex - How does 3pm sound? Ax

Unknown number - Sounds great, see you then P :)

A smile taking over her face Alex saved the number to her contacts.

Alex - great, see you then, happy revising. Ax