Bit of a confession to make…I only intended for this to be a oneshot, but I must have double clicked the completed button and undone it! Since it was my error I decided to make a second chapter :).

Alex barely slept the rest of that night. Fears of both Carlin returning to try and frighten Piper and guards seeing her there and throwing her in the SHU (leaving Piper exposed) kept Alex on edge throughout the night. She knew she had to leave and get back to her own block before the guards came for wakeup call (Alex was incredibly grateful she knew all the lazy guards were on duty tonight). There were no clocks around to get an exact time, but judging by the gentle shimmer of light creeping in through the small windows Alex guessed it was around four or five o'clock- meaning that she didn't have long now. Reluctantly, she carefully slipped her arms out from around Piper and sat up on the bed. She reached across to the table and grabbed Piper's notebook and a pen. She decided she'd let her sleep and leave a note rather than wake her to tell her she had to go. If she woke her now Piper would just toss and turn in fear, and Alex couldn't stand the thought of Piper being afraid.

Sorry Pipes, but if they catch me here I'll end up in SHU, I stayed as long as I could. I'll get up straight away so I can shower first then I'll come meet you while you have yours. Red will watch over you until then. Remember, don't leave this note lying around.

I heart you.

Alex knew Piper would be especially nervous in the shower block, as that's where the attempt took place. Carlin had told Alex she couldn't be with "blondie" twenty four/seven, but she didn't know Alex. She would be with her as damn close to twenty four/seven as possible until she felt safe again. And when Alex couldn't be with her, she would make sure someone she trusted was- Red, Morello or Nicky. Alex gently kissed Piper's cheek before sneaking off to her own block to make sure she was there in time for wakeup.

Alex sat anxiously on her bed for the remaining hour before she was allowed to go and have her brief shower. As soon as Bennett called out that it was time to get up and that they had an hour before breakfast started Alex was up like a bullet and out of the door heading for the showers. She knew Piper would be awake now and reading her note. She knew she would be alone and scared and Alex couldn't stand it. She cleaned herself as quickly as humanly possible before vaguely drying her hair. She didn't even bother to do her makeup, she could do that while waiting for Piper. Alex then headed round to Piper's shower block. Sure enough she was standing hopping nervously from one to the other until she caught sight of Alex.

"You came." Piper said, the relief clear on her face. "I didn't know if you would. Alex, your hair is still damp. You'll get sick…"

"Don't worry about me. I'll have time to dry my hair and do my makeup while you shower. I know you'll be nervous about going in there but it's ok. I'll be right outside the cubicle." Piper felt so much gratitude for the woman standing in front of her. Piper wasn't sure she would be coping right now without her…but if it wasn't for Piper, Alex wouldn't be here in the first place. She didn't deserve her.

"Alex, listen…what I did to you, it was wrong. I know I'll never be able to make it up to you. I don't deserve your forgiveness let alone your love…"

"Well tough, you're getting it." Alex butted in. Slowly, Alex took both of Piper's hands. She was being really careful not to make any sudden movements, she was still very delicate right now. "You said it yourself- we're inevitable to each other. No matter what you do, I know I'll always come back to you. But we don't need to talk about this right now. Right now you need to shower because you stink." Alex gently teased. Piper smiled, but Alex could still see the fear in her eyes.

"Go, I'll be right behind you." She promised. "I'm not going to let her hurt you." Piper still felt apprehensive, but with Alex with her she knew that she could do this. So giving Alex's hand one final squeeze Piper turned and went into the shower block. True to her word, Alex stayed right behind her and got a mirror space right in front of the cubicle Piper was in. That was as she finished drying her hair and putting on her makeup she could keep an eye on who was coming in and out.

Ten minutes later Piper emerged from the cubicle, still looking edgy. Alex gave her a reassuring smile. "You always liked to doddle in the shower. I'm just glad I'm not the one paying the water bill." Piper rolled her eyes playfully at her.

"You didn't seem to mind so much when you were in the shower with me." She pointed out. Alex lowered her glasses and raised an eyebrow, it was good to see the old Piper back.

"Well aren't you two just adorable?" Came a cold, unfeeling voice. Piper felt all her insides tense up as Alex stepped defensively in front of her.

"I warned you already to stay away from us." She snarled at Carlin. "So unless you want to find your face smashed into that mirror I suggest you walk away." Carlin gave a pompous snort before looking Piper up and down.

"See you around, Chapman." She said seductively before walking away. Alex felt Piper shiver behind her. She turned and wrapped her arms around her.

"I promise you that you are safe." She said, voice filled with determination. "Pipes, she won't get anywhere near you again, I won't let her. I know that since I left Litchfield you tried to act like you didn't care, but I know that you do. I know that she scares you and that's ok, because she doesn't scare me, and as long as you're with me I won't let anybody scare you, alright?"

"Alright." Piper said quietly, her head resting against Alex's shoulder. Their relationship had always been a love/hate one. When they hated each other, they were truly vile to one and other. But when they loved each other, nobody could get between them.