Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated this or COTR in a while. I've been dealing with family related stuff. Hopefully, I'll be back on a regular-ish update schedule now. The withdrawal aspects may not be the most accurate. I've never used drugs recreationally, and most of my information on drug withdrawal comes from TV. Soundtrack: playlist?list=PLtJcZcvt9JqnqjE-CbPnUETegWxJYRxjO

WARNING: This chapter contains sexual references, drug references, vomit, drug withdrawal, drug addiction, biphobia, and food.

Withdrawal comes fast and hard, unfortunately. Once things finally start calming down, Nicky's hit with the beginnings of it. She's determined not to give into her cravings, and so borrows Alex from Piper to help her out.

Alex is in charge of keeping her distracted, and making sure she doesn't die, or go looking for drugs. In exchange, she's getting a large sum of money in her commissary account. Red's busy with work, and keeping the COs off her back, and so can't care for her.

Nicky's currently curled up in her bunk, moaning quietly in pain. She's got a fever, and is shivering. Her clothes are soaked with sweat, and she has a small trashcan next to her bunk to puke into.

"Vause, do you think your girl would be pissed if you distracted me in more interesting ways than talking? Or, how about you just talk dirty? Would that work?"

Alex smiles sympathetically. Having been through withdrawal in the past, herself, she knows how painful it is. She also knows that Nicky's go-to distraction (other than getting high) is getting off.

"Sorry, Nick. I can't help you there. Feel free to jerk off all you want, but I'm not helping you."

Nicky groans, and shifts, bed creaking under her. She whines, finding the movement painful. "But why?"

She drags out the 'y', sounding like a little kid begging for a toy. Alex rolls her eyes. "Want me to go get Morello?"

Nicky scoffs. "Oh no. She's married. She made vows. She's a fucking filthy heterosexual, now."

As time slowly goes by, it gets worse. Nicky's crying by now, and shaking more violently. She's vomiting more, and her fever's higher. Alex is genuinely concerned.

"It's after work hours. I'll go get Red, ok? Be right back. Don't move."

Where the fuck would I go in this state, Vause? Nicky thinks. If her throat weren't so raw from stomach acid, she'd be griping at her friend. As is, she just bites on the edge of her blanket, and tries to take deep and even breaths.

As a particularly bad wave of pain wracks her body, she lets out a weak moan. She hears a quiet gasp, and opens her eyes. There, in the doorway, is the one person she was hoping wouldn't come looking for her during her withdrawal.

"Hi, Nichols." Lorna's voice is hesitant, and quiet. Nicky grumbles, and curls in on herself further, burrowing under her blanket.

"I brought you something."

Nicky responds with another grumble, but looks at Lorna. She's holding up a ginger root, and Nicky lets out a little amused huff leave her nose. She reaches out, shakily, and takes it.

She breaks off a small part of the root, from Red's garden no doubt, and shoves it into her mouth. She begins chewing hurriedly. The taste is intense, and it burns her mouth and throat, but it's soothing in an odd way.

Ginger is known for its healing abilities, most often used to soothe an upset stomach. Nicky definitely could use something for her stomach, right now. She hears Lorna chuckle at her munching on the root like it'll save her life. Who the fuck knows, maybe it will. Either way, she offers Lorna a small smile of thanks, around bulging cheeks.