Alex knew that by coming here she risked being thrown in the SHU. She knew she risked coming into contact with Carlin again, which could also have her thrown in the SHU if she got her hands on her again. She still hated Piper for ratting on her and getting her carted back to Litchfield, but for all she hated her, she loved her even more. And the thought of someone else touching her hurt Alex. The thought of someone trying to touch her without Piper's permission filled her with rage. It made her even madder that she would get away with it because Piper refused to snitch on her. She claimed it was because she wasn't a snitch- but Alex knew she was afraid that if she snitched Carlin would come back for more. Of course Alex couldn't let it slide. She confronted the bitch and would have got more than a few punches in had Big Boo not pulled her off, reminding her off the consequences. But in the moment Alex didn't give a shit about the consequences- she cared about defending Piper. Now here she found herself in Piper's block, right outside the cube she shared with Red. Alex knew she wouldn't be sleeping, how could she after such a vicious attack? She just heard Piper gasp at the sight of someone outside of her cube over Red's snoring.

"It's just me." Alex whispered. "Don't be scared."

"Alex?" Piper asked, confused. "But- but you're not speaking to me. What are you doing here? You're going to get into trouble." Alex tiptoed right over to Piper and bent down beside her.

"Yeah, I'm still pissed at you, but I couldn't leave you in here alone after what she tried to do to you. I know you, Pipes, and I know you can't be alone right now." Piper reached out and gently brushed her fingertips along the purple bruising around Alex's eye.

"Did she do that to you?" Piper asked. "Did you get into a fight with her over what happened? Alex, please don't. I've already got you locked up in here, I don't want you getting into any more trouble…"

"Shh." Alex said gently, taking Piper's hand away from her face. "It was my choice to punch her, Piper. I wasn't going to let that bitch away with what she tried to do. I know I'm mad, but even when I'm mad you're still my Pipes and nobody fucks with you. Now scoot over." Piper didn't need to be told twice. Truth be told she was terrified, and Alex always made her feel safe. Piper scooted closer to the wall and Alex slotted in behind her, wrapping her arms protectively around her. She softly kissed the back of her neck.

"Go to sleep Pipes." Alex breathed against her ear. "I'm here, you're safe kid." Piper focused on the rhythm of Alex's heart against her back. She used it to help lull her off to sleep. But Alex did not rest so easily. She just wanted to make sure keep Piper safe.

About an hour later into the night Alex heard someone laughing coldly at the end of the cube. She turned her head slightly to see who it was. When she saw Carlin standing there she pulled Piper closer to her protectively.

"Aww, look at you two acting all sweet." She spat quietly. "But you can't be with blondie twenty four/seven. She wanted it as badly as I did- and sooner or later I'll get what I want-"

"Was I not clear enough earlier?" Alex hissed. "You don't ever touch Piper again." Carlin smirked at her.

"Oh, I'm so scared." She replied sarcastically. "But little blondie isn't yours anymore, she's all mine."

"Piper loves me and I love her. Whatever shit happened between us we love each other and even if she wasn't with me you had no right trying what you did you sick freak. Stay away from me and more importantly stay away from Piper. Or next time Big Boo won't be able to stop me."

"Yeah, like you would have won that fight." Carlin said, chuckling softly. "But I'll humour you- for now. Sleep well love bugs. Make sure the big nasty guards don't find you or you'll get taken to SHU. Then poor little Piper would be left all alone, and we couldn't have that, could we?" Carlin finished darkly before walking back to her own cube. Alex turned and snuggled closer into the back of Piper.

"I will protect you, Pipes." She whispered softly. "I heart you, kid. I always will." Alex rested her head on top of Piper's and fell into a restless sleep of her own.