Coursing Through My Veins Like Fire
A/N: This is a short one, thanks to everyone who has reviewed, it really made my morning to see that I got seven reviews so quickly. To those who were worried about Montgomery's arrival and Alex's attitude towards Piper, you may not like the next two chapters but I assure you that it will end in Vause/Chapman. Anyway, enjoy and thanks again.
Disclaimer: OitNB and its character do not belong to me
Chapter 2: I Need Your Love At Every Turn
Alex saunters into the room, for a second Piper thinks she's here to see her but Alex's bright green-blue eyes scan each bunk bed giving only a microscopic glance to Piper sitting on the top bunk and she approaches the redhead on the bottom bed. Piper scoots backwards, her back pressing tightly against the cold cinderblock, trying to abide by Alex's new rules of bare minimum contact.
"Hey Lex" Jess greets the tall woman and she sits up from her reclining position.
"Hey Jess, I brought you Colgate," Alex rummages through the box balanced on her hip and holds up a tube of toothpaste, "I know it's your preference and it's the cheapest brand so they run out quick, always make sure you get extra just in case, alright? And your books won't arrive for a few days but I still have a copy of '50 Classic Women Writers' you gave me last year. The library also has a few medical journals but they're like twenty years old, that should tide you over until your stuff arrives. And some candy bars, no almonds 'cause I know you hate them and..."
"Alex," Montgomery interrupts the uncharacteristic rambling Vause. She reaches out, takes the box of offerings from Alex and places it on top of her mattress. She clasps their hands together and brings them to press against her chest. "You're hovering. I'm okay."
"I just want to make sure you're taken care of, kid." Alex's words are spoken so softly that Piper has to strain to hear over the ambient chatter of the ward.
She may not be able to make out each word spoken between the pair but she recognizes that look of devotion on Alex well, it was directed at herself not too long ago. Jessica pulls Alex down onto her bottom bunk, only their long legs are visible and Piper swallows the bile rising in her throat just imagining where their hands might be resting now.
"You should be assigned a cube soon, there were a few girls who got released this week..."
"It's cool Lex, I lived in my car for nearly a year, cramped quarters are not new to me. Remember the size of our tent that month we were in Malaysia?"
"We were both too damn tall to fit that thing," Alex laughs at the memory of two 5'10" women crammed into a camping tent, " thank god Nate had the cabin's roof fixed the next day."
"It was rough but I adjusted, I always do." Jess reaches over to soothingly rub Alex's knee "I mean, yeah minimum security prison isn't The Atlantis Resort but it's not a makeshift village in a third world country either. I think I'll survive."
"Okay, I get it Jess, you're a badass who parachuted into the African jungle to save dying babies. That doesn't mean I can't worry about you," Alex brushes a lock of hair behind Jess' ear, sighing deeply at their current predicament, " especially if I'm the reason you're here and not out saving the world."
"Lex..."
"I'm such a fuck up," Alex manages to choke out, " this wasn't suppose...I never meant for this to touch you, you've lost everything you worked your ass off for all because of me."
"Come on Lex, it's only about a third of your fault." Montgomery chuckles, bumping her shoulder with Vause's, earning a feeble smile in return. "I knew the risk I was taking and what could happen and still I couldn't see past my own stupid ideology to stop myself from following through. I knew the money was dirty and that the Feds wouldn't care if it paid for medicine to save over a hundred kids, all they cared about was how I came by it, not all the good it accomplished. But I don't regret it, not for a second and I sure as hell don't blame you. You went out on a limb for me, no one has ever loved me the way you do Alex. So dry your eyes you big pussy, your mascara is running."
"You're handling this remarkable well, I was depressed as fuck when I first got here." Alex smirks and leans toward the red head " What, did you get laid on the ride up here or something?"
Montgomery rolls her eyes at the teasing, she's used to Alex's inappropriate humor to cover up emotional turmoil. They are quite similar in that regard.
"Oh believe me I freaked the fuck out when I was first arrested. By the way, I may have smashed a few of those hideous statues in the foyer of the penthouse."
"The naked torso Jennifer begged me to buy? I knew you secretly hated that thing" Alex scoffs at the red head's impish grin but finds it difficult to really be mad at the adorable woman "whatever, it was a pity purchase for a starving artist."
"And yeah it's prison but at least it's in America, you remember what it was like in Bangkok?"
"Fuck,Bangkok! I try to block that shit out. Some things just can't be unseen." Alex recalls the grimy jail cells packed with a dozen women at a time and shudders in disgust.
"See, one day soon, we'll look back on this as just another wacky tales of The Amazing and Sometimes Sucky Adventures of Jex."
Alex sniffles discreetly, pushing her glasses onto her head and dabs under her eyes. She runs her hand through Jessica's burnt orange locks and pulls the girl into a tight hug. "I love you Jess, it's you and me against the world babe."
One of the most annoying things about being back in the crowded rooms is that the closest bathroom is shared with the Suburb dorms. A fact Piper doesn't recall until she steps into the bathroom and sees Nichols, Vause and Montgomery brushing their teeth, applying eyeliner and laughing like they're a couple of girlfriends getting ready to hit the club.
"So what," Nicky's amused voice pulls Piper's attention from Alex's toned legs and up to where the shorter woman's fingers are tracing a armband tattoo across the red head's forearm. "You two got matching tattoos on your arm. Do you have them in all the places Vause does?" Nicky waggles her eyebrows at Montgomery who just shakes her head in reply. She doesn't even acknowledge Nicky's flirting but the sour expression on Alex's face tells Nichols to back off.
"Just the one, it was a special occasion that needed to be commemorated." Montgomery smiles at the raven haired woman who reaches over and plants a soft kiss to the aforementioned spot.
"Morning, Chapman."
Piper startles out of her daze to see Nicky watching her through the mirror. Her voice is stuck in her throat so she only manages to nod at her friend. Alex's sharp green eyes resolutely avoid her gaze, causing her heart to constrict. Thank God the door of the only stall opened up. She barely waits for the occupant to exit before rushing in and sitting on the semi- gross toilet seat. Closing and locking the stall door may have cut off her view of the trio at the sinks but it did nothing to quell their rising voices.
"It was a dare, Lex is incapable of declining a dare like the third grader she is,"
"I know that's right!" Nicky's loud laugh echoes throughout the bathroom
"We were in Monaco at a Poker tournament, Lex was riding pretty high on a big win. I don't even remember who it was that started it but once the word 'dare' was tossed out, copious amounts of Absinthe was involved and by morning we had matching tatts." Jess explains as she quickly braids her hair.
Inside her hiding place, Piper snorts, clearly remembering how Alex once talked her into getting a tattoo. She also remembers the lecture her mother gave the first time she saw the colorful koi fish on her neck. Who knew there were so many adjectives for tacky.
Piper stretches her legs, the patchy brownish grass digs into her calves as she reaches for her toes and holds the pose for half a minute. It's really sunny today, the rays warming her back against the early spring chill. In the distance, murmurs of her fellow prisoners taking advantage of free time in the yard is mere background noise in her tranquil state. It's been too long since she's gone for a run, Piper's been looking forward to pushing her softening muscles to the limit and her knees are jittery with anticipation.
She hears Ja'nae talking as she passes through the gate. Piper looks over her shoulder to greet her sometimes running buddy but scowls at the other runner.
Montgomery's soft tangerine hair is pulled back into a severe ponytail and her long toned legs are on display in running shorts Piper didn't even know the prison issues.
"S'up Chapman" Ja'nae calls out, the unlikely duo pick a spot to stretch just a few feet away from Piper's oasis.
"Hey" Piper croaks back.
"Montgomery" the red head nods in her direction when all Piper does is gape at them "we weren't formally introduced yesterday."
No, they were not. Piper resists the urge to roll her eyes, she had absolutely no intention of even acknowledging Alex's new house mouse. It was a little tricky this morning, trying to make up her top bunk bed and ignore the lady on the bottom bunk but Carol Chapman was a master at ignoring things that made her uncomfortable, apparently it's a hereditary gift.
Ja'nae snorts in amusement at Piper's snub of the new inmate but infuriatingly, Montgomery seems unfazed by Piper's petty behavior. She and Ja'nae share a look then launch back into a conversation they apparently were engaged in earlier.
"I was at State," Ja'nae informs the other woman, "about to start my junior year when I got busted. Division 1, it was a really good program."
"Yeah, I recall seeing you compete about two years ago," Montgomery grunts a little as she holds her position "I ran for Tulane back in 03, you totally kicked my alma mater's ass, it was very impressive."
"Eh" Ja'nae shrugs off the compliment but Piper can see she's pleased with the praise. They make small talk for another couple of minutes before finally rising and heading to the unmarked path. Piper hangs back, listening to the pair laughing about some coach with bad breath that was a bit of a close talker.
Annoyed that Montgomery apparently hasn't suffered through the same 'stick with your own tribe' nonsense Piper endured, she side steps and takes off in a jog to get away from the new friends.
Gradually Litchfield falls away, the only sounds are of her labored breathes and her heartbeat pounding in her ears. She pushes herself too far too soon but still makes an effort to maintain her slower than usual pace.
Ja'nae and Montgomery have already lapped her twice at a neck-breaking speed. Both barely looking winded as they whiz past her. A sudden sharp pain shoots up her left leg, Piper cries out and staggers off the track, tumbling into the grass she clutches at her leg desperately.
"It's okay," Montgomery is leaning over her in a flash. "May I take a look?"
Piper grits her teeth through the stabbing pain, she tries to brush the red head off but the instant she attempts to stand she's flat on her ass again. Ja'nae places a hand on her shoulder to keep her in place.
"Chill Chapman, Jessica's a doctor, she just wants to help you."
Oh it's Jessica now? Piper scowls at the woman hovering over her, hands poised to assist the blonde, reluctantly she nods "yeah fine whatever."
Montgomery gives her a toothy grin and sets about gently examining her leg.
"Inmates!" Mendez bellows, Piper and Ja'nae automatically shrink back but Montgomery is too focused on her task to pay heed to the CO. "The fuck are you doing now Chapman?"
"She's injured," Montgomery answers Mendez but looks at Piper " most likely a pulled muscle, we were just about to help her inside to rest."
"Yeah you do that," Mendez adjusts his belt, lingering for a moment like he was trying to come up with a good zinger but ultimately falls short, "the track's for running, not your lezzie drum circles. Disburse!"
Ja'nae rolls her eyes but hoists Piper to her feet and slowly she and Montgomery help Piper hobble back into the building. They get a few weird looks but no one stops them on their way to the rooms, where Piper stutters out a quiet thanks.
"No trouble roomie," Montgomery flashes that enigmatic smile again and assists Piper onto the top bunk. She stares at Piper a moment longer like she's internally battling with something she wants to say but can't. Piper makes the decision for her and rolls onto her side to face the wall.
Thursday as she's attempting to read through all the mail from her family and friends that has piled up during her stay in the SHU, O' Neal's perpetually cranky voice sounds over the intercom. "Chapman and Montgomery gather your belongings and proceed to your counselor for bunk assignment."
The joy of finally getting assigned to a permanent cube is slightly diminished when the second name is announced. She catches the red head studying her, while packing up the books Alex has given her. Piper makes quick work of her meager belongings and is out the door.
Standing so close in Caputo's office, Piper discreetly side eyes the woman next to her. From this close she can see a light dusting of freckles shading the top of her perky breasts peeking through her v-neck uniform top. Montgomery is pretty, in that 'she could easily be a model with that red hair and icy blue eyes' kind of way. She must have stared a little too long because Montgomery shifts her body away, giving Piper an annoyed glare. Piper blushes and refocuses her attention to their counselor as he gives them a speech about budget cuts and getting along with women from different backgrounds. It's almost the same practiced speech that Healy once told her minus the 'Beware of the lesbians' part, so Piper tunes him out until they're free to leave.
Piper takes a deep breath and chooses not to engage in conversation, she briskly walks ahead of the other woman and doesn't slow down until she hears the faint thumping of a reggaeton song drifting into the hall. Pausing briefly, she scans the cell block and straightens her back at a few unwelcoming glances. She's never had an issue with the Hispanics, aside from Baby Diaz and Martinez, she hasn't really interacted with them either. That could cause an issue, the women could assume she's stuck up like Pensatucky's crew claimed or the really religious women could condemn her because of her previous relationships with Alex.
Montgomery on the other hand either doesn't care about Litchfield's caste system or is firmly under 'The Don's' protection. She slips past Piper and strides right up to the guard Bubble to get her bed assignment without a second thought to being a very pale white woman moving into 'Spanish Harlem'.
Amazingly, Montgomery is warmly welcomed into the cell block. Her bunk mate Flaca even hugs her and they fall into easy conversation while organizing her side of the cube.
Piper is given a cube towards the back and the middle aged Cuban woman basically ignores her existence as she quietly unpacks.
Ten minutes before the movie starts and the makeshift theater is almost filled to capacity. Fourth row from the screen, Piper hones in on a shock of raven hair propped up by her hand resting over the empty seat on her left. Taystee gives her a warning look but Piper simply shrugs her off, quickly making her way towards the fourth row.
She stands there, hoping Alex will notice her and offer her the chair but before she can clear her throat someone taps her shoulder.
"Excuse me."
Piper inwardly seethes, thwarted once again by the red headed menace.
"Yes?" Piper snidely asks the younger woman.
"She means 'excuse me, can you move your ass so I can sit down please?'" The first words Alex has spoken directly to her in weeks and it would be some smartass remark in defense of her new girlfriend. The bitch didn't even have the courtesy to look at her when speaking, she just sat there facing the blank screen, twirling a Twizzler between her teeth. Piper's mouth snaps shut as her face burns with embarrassment. She's holding up the line and steps to the side to allow Montgomery to sit in the chair that should have been hers.
"There's a free seat here, Chapman." Boo takes pity on the lost blond standing awkwardly in the aisle. Unfortunately the chair is directly behind Alex and now she has to bare witness to those achingly soft lips gently brush against Montgomery's ear as she whispers something that has the girl chuckle then lay her head on the taller woman's shoulder, accepting the left earbud and getting comfortable. The lights dim as the movie finally starts, Piper is relieved to have a distraction for the next ninety minutes but try as she might to become invested in whatever Kate Hudson is doing onscreen, her eyes are locked to the hypnotizing motion of Alex's talented fingers running through Montgomery's long hair, scratching behind her ear. She scoffs loudly when Montgomery snuggles deeper into Alex's side and sighs at the gentle touch.
Boo stretches her arm behind Piper's back causing the blond to stiffen in remembrance of how Suzanne offering to share her earbuds turned into a near fatal attraction. Boo smirks at her discomfort "Calm your itty bitty titties, you're not my type blondie "
Slightly offended yet mollified, piper slouches a bit in her seat and tries not to think about the last time Alex played with her hair. It was just days before she was locked away in the SHU, they were laying on her bunk for a change, legs entwined and Piper spent an hour straight gazing into those captivating aquamarine eyes that looked back at her with so much love and raw need that Piper couldn't form a coherent word. Not for the first time Piper wonders why she chose Larry. Sure he loved her but his love always came with a condition. He tried to placate her instead of just stating when he thought her idea was fucking stupid. Images of Larry trying to weasel out of their juice cleanse pact immediately came to mind. He went along with it like a sulky kid whereas Alex would have stated 'fuck no, I'm a carnivore babe, the most I can promise is not to consume a porterhouse in front of you.'
Before she knows it, the movie is over and her fellow inmates stand to stretch out stiff limbs. Piper catches a glimpse of Alex's lower back when her khaki top rides up and she's struck with an intense sense of longing. Boo nudges her side, breaking her trance. "Just give her some space, Chapman."
Piper nods at the unwanted advice and exits the room with her eyes planted to the ground. She doesn't see Doggett approaching but does hear the slight commotion and whispered threats. Finally looking up to see Alex towering over Tiffany with a meanancing smirk on her lovely face.
"So you know Doggett, choose."
Doggett gives one last disdainful glare to both her and Piper before walking away. Alex places a hand on Montgomery's back and moves them through the room but looks over her shoulder to check on Piper one last time.