Authors note:- Thank you to everyone who has taken time to read and review the story so far. As always I am not American so I apologise for any mistakes and I do not own any characters.

Hope you enjoy the latest update. Please feel free to review.

Piper viewed the scene from her bed with despair, books, handwritten notes with highlighted text, post-its and her lap top all scattered before her. Piper had always had to work hard to get her grades, something which at times consumed her life at high school but now at college so much more depended on achieving good grades. Glancing at her clock she read the time 08:15, it was later than Piper usually woke but she had been late to get to sleep last night; a combination of trying to revise whilst allowing herself to have the television on and mentally chastising herself over her stupid comment to Alex. Alex, a smile graced her lips. The brunette had consumed Pipers thoughts as she drifted off to sleep last night. The relief that Piper experienced when Alex replied to her texts was indescribable. Piper had thought she had messed up for sure but they were still meeting up for coffee, OMG they were meeting today. Pipers heart raced at the thought as she jumped out of bed scattering various pieces of revision over her room.

Grabbing her shower gear Piper quickly showered so that she had time to plan her outfit, plan her outfit, who was she kidding they were two ...well Piper wasn't sure what they were, maybe friends? A familiar tone from her phone indicated a text, hoping it was from Alex, Piper grabbed for her phone quickly.

Polly: Hi Piper were all freaking out a bit over exams do you fancy meeting sooner? Xx

Piper: You guys too? Yep sounds good. Where and when?

Polly: Now and my room if that's ok, will just be me and Larry so shouldn't be too much of a squeeze Xx

Trying to buy herself some time to decide on her outfit for later Piper replied

Piper: I've just got to shower and then will be right with you :)

Piper decided on a pair of skinny jeans a vest top and a light sweater along with her trusty pair of chucks, casual enough for coffee she thought to herself. She carried her laptop and notes down to Pollys room in her messenger bag, hearing Larrys voice from inside the room she knocked and went in. Polly was sat cross legged on her bed, laptop on her night stand and papers neatly stacked in front of her, Larry was sat on the desk chair laying books and notes all over the desk leaving the easy chair for Piper.

"Oh my goodness, there's just too much to remember"

"I know, how are you guys getting on?"

"Terrible!" both Larry and Polly replied in unison.

"Have you done upper limb yet?" Piper asked.

"No not really, I've been concentrating on the ankle so far " Larry replied.

"How about we work then these flash quiz cards Polly said producing a new pack of brightly coloured anatomy diagrams with questions written on the back.

"I don't feel ready", Piper said, "how about we read these chapters and then try?"

The three read their respective texts in silence occasional checking something on their laptops. Polly finished first and went to make them all a drink. The three worked through the study cards each getting questions right and wrong in equal measure.

"Shit!" Piper exclaimed when she glanced the time, "I'm sorry guys I've got to go", she said as she leapt to her feet scrabbling to put her belongings in her bag "I've erm, I've got an appointment".

Confused by theirs friends abrupt stance they asked if she was ok?

"Yes yes I'm fine I've just got to be somewhere" and with that Piper ran out of the room.

2-40 and Piper had to make her way quite a few blocks across the city, she had a vague idea where she was heading as she had googled the library the night before. She mentally cursed as she threw her bag strap over her shoulder, Piper had wanted to leave her bag back in her room but deciding she didn't have time she ran out of the building and onto the busy sidewalk.

Alexs shift was due to finish at 2, she knew if she finished on time she would be able to call back at her apartment or as was more likely if her shift ran over she had time to get ready at work and take the subway. Her day had been quite steady, she and Nicki had been requested back at the crime scene from yesterday. The murder was thought to be gang related and as there would be crime scene technicians present again today they wanted officers present in case there was any trouble. Despite having to be on their feet it had been a pretty easy shift. Nicki was in a great mood they had chatted and joked and in the quieter moments Alex had found herself smiling at the thought of her coffee date that afternoon.

Piper quickly walked through the busy streets cursing that she had not been able to leave her laptop every time she felt it bang into her side. Seeing the street sign for 5th Avenue Piper breathed a sigh of relief, she hated being late for anything let alone letting Alex down when she had shown her such kindness.

2-45 and Alex arrived at the steps of the library, it was an imposing building which Alex had always loved to visit, as well as containing many rare books and texts they ran regular free exhibitions which Alex loved to attend, something which Sylvie could not understand. Torn between waiting near the bottom of the steps or climbing to the top for a better view over the street Alex felt a wave of something unfamiliar come over her. Brushing it off she looked down at the toes of her boots as she scuffed them gently along the step edge. She looked around for the familiar blonde hair but saw nothing. She glanced at her watch 2-47, she was early, early is good she thought to herself. Opting to remain near the foot of the stairs Alex glanced up and down the street before propping herself up against the railings, despite the autumn sunshine her hands felt cold so she stuffed them into the pockets of her leather jacket.

Alex surveyed the street trying to ignore the strange feeling building in the pit of her stomach. Why was she feeling nervous? Alex never got nervous so she passed it off as indigestion, yes that's it indigestion! Bloody Nicky making her get lunch from a strange deli! Her eyes widened as she spotted a familiar form racing round the corner. She smiled as she saw the blonde narrowly avoiding not one but two groups of tourists who were blocking the sidewalk and rapidly slowing her frantic pace to a cool and collected walk as she began scanning the area for Alex.

Alex moved forward towards Piper both women smiling as their eyes met.

"Hey kid I was worried you'd stood me up"

"Hi, oh no, sorry no, I was at Pollys and then lost track of time and I ran here and I didn't have time to drop of my bag and..."

"Hey, hey chill I was kidding", Alex said running her hands down Pipers arms. Piper looked bashful and her head dropped so she was looking down at her feet, a light nervous smile gracing her lips as she lifted her head slightly "I guess I do ramble a little, when I'm nervous that is"

Nervous, she's nervous meeting me Alex thought to herself.

"Come on kid lets go get that drink you owe me", Alex said as she playfully nudged Pipers shoulder with her own. The comfortable silence between the pair was broken by Alex

"So what's with all the bags?"

"Oh you know studying, we've got big exams coming up".

"Ah I see" Alex said as she held the door of the bustling coffee shop open for Piper to enter. Alex took Pipers bags and went and sat at a free table in the corner whilst Piper queued up to order their drinks, a latte and a flat black coffee. Alex usually went for an espresso but she didn't want to rush her time with Piper. As she waited she took in the scene, friends meeting for coffee, business men and women, people set up with books or laptops content to while away the afternoon in the warm comfortable surroundings. A lady laden down with shopping tried to get passed so Alex moved the chair she had dumped Pipers bags on to allow her to pass more easily, as she did the velcro on the laptop bag gave way a little giving Alex a glimpse at all if the study notes contained within. Piper soon made her way over with the drinks and a muffin and a scone. Smiling as she set they tray down.

"I didn't know which you would prefer so I got both"

"You didn't have to" Alex said with a small smile, secretly touched by the small gesture, "so how's things?"

The two talked for over an hour, with conversation flowing freely, Piper told Alex of how she was settling in at uni, her upcoming exams and of the new friends she had made. Alex kept her entertained with endless tales of gruesome crimes to funny characters and Nickis antics. The one topic which wasn't raised was relationships, a happy coincidence Piper thought not fully aware of how Alex had skilfully steered the conversation away from any such topics.

"Hey how long have you had that lump on your wrist?" Piper said as she leaned across the table to take Alex's wrist in her hand. Piper ran her fingers gently across the skin for fear of hurting Alex if it were sore, "I think you have a ganglion" Piper proclaimed,
"I have a what now?!"
"A ganglion, a small gel filled cyst"
"Shit, is it dangerous?" Alex said pulling her wrist away from Piper to examine the area herself
"No, no, hell no, they're really common"
"Oh so you're saying I'm common now" Alex laughed out in mock offence.
Piper smiled and took Alex's wrist in her own hands once more pointing out various parts of anatomy whilst slating Alex's fears over her 'lumpy wrist'.
"And this here is the radial styloid process" she said delicately stroking her fingers over the inside of Alex's wrist, she looked up to see Alex smiling back down at her.
"Well now your just making words up" she said laughing but happy to leave her wrist in Pipers hands. As she smiled across the table at Piper their eyes met, it was at that point Alex felt something stir deep inside of her as she looked up into the piercing blue eyes of the blonde sat across from her. Her messy blonde hair, her carefree make up free appearance and the most gorgeous of goofy grins, oh how she wished she could make the blonde smile like that more often. Piper looked across into the green eyes of the gorgeous brunette, so confident, so self asserted and so hot, she felt her face break into a large uninhibited grin, God Alex's skin felt so good in her hands. As if realisation was dawning on her Piper shook her head and sadly let go of her wrist, girlfriend she has a girlfriend.
Alex nervously looked down to the table "so what else do you know then brainiac?"
"Oh don't, we've got so much left to cover and we have to know all of the tendon insertions as well as the muscles I just don't think I'll ever remember it all". Before she could ramble any further Alex's phone rang, glancing at the caller ID Alex sent her an apologetic look, "Sorry, I have to take this" and with that she grabbed her phone and walked a short distance from Piper.
"I'll be home when I'm home Sylvie, jeez who are you my keeper?"
"Well if you're going out I'll just see you tomorrow that's fine I'm early shift again anyway" Alex was not in the mood for dealing with a demanding Sylvie so was happy to hear that she was planning on going out with her friends.
Alex returned to Piper, her happy smile now subdued. Despite wishing she could spend more time with the entertaining older woman Piper drew on all of her WASPy breeding and took the lead.

"Well I guess I best get going, these exams aren't going to pass themselves".

Alex cleared their cups and plates and held the door for Piper as they exited onto the bustling street.

"I""thanks", both women smiling as they went to speak at the same time Piper was the first to try again "I've had a really great time Alex", "thanks I've had a really great time too, apart from having a cute girl tell me I've got lumpy wrists that is!"
"Alex " Piper said pushing Alex's shoulder gently "I said they were common lumpy wrists, you weren't paying attention!" both women smiled neither quite knowing how to end this...whatever this had been, a hug, a kiss on the cheek a handshake?! WASP training nearly failing her Piper managed to find her voice "We'll have to do this again sometime""yeah that would be good", "sometime real soon" and with that she secured her bags and began to walk away.
Alex stuffed her hands back into the pockets of her leather jacket and turned, walking with purpose in the opposite direction.
Piper couldn't wait to be a safe enough distance away to let the broad smile she had been suppressing break free, 'cute' she said I was cute, she thinks that I'm cute! replaying the entire coffee shop encounter over and over again not wanting to forget a single detail.

Alex made her way down the main streets taking a sharp turn left until she was stood outside a non descript building with a battered graffitied wooden door. Alex gathered her thoughts and pushed the door, she knew what she needed to do.