Piper threw herself into the chair and looked at Polly who collapsed next to her. Grinning she said "We did it!"

"That was so much fun," Polly groaned "but my feet are throbbing and I am sure I am going to loose my voice. It feels like we have been talking for hours."

"We have! But everyone seemed so impressed." Piper grinned. "Even Sylvie looked happy so it must have gone OK!"

Polly giggled. "Yeah, but her face was a picture when her husband turned up then made that speech, thanking Boo and Barney's! I thought she was going to explode!"

"Yeah what was that about?" Piper sniggered, "she obviously hadn't been expecting him."

"Well from the snippets I picked up listening to the hotel staff he occasionally does these surprise drop ins, likes to keep people on their toes so to speak. He told one of the guys working the bar that his wife had talked non stop about this launch, how important it was to impress Barney's, that she had been working all the hours to make it a success, so he wanted to surprise her by calling in."

Piper snorted. "So I'm guessing she has used us and Barney's as an excuse to be out late with Sophia! Well I for one will be glad to escape her and her crazy lies and games."

Polly nodded. "You spoken to Alex yet?" She asked gently.

Piper nodded. "Earlier, she called to wish us luck." Piper did not mention she had listened to Alex's voice message then waited until she knew Alex would be busy to return the call, ensuring she got her voice message in return. Polly wouldn't understand. She told Alex she was looking forward to seeing her, she was. She just didn't tell her the many questions she had going round and round in her head!

"Good." Polly smiled. "Come on lets grab one of those unopened bottles and sneak it back to our hotel and have us a room party. I cant face going out but wine in bed suddenly sounds perfect!" Piper grinned, nodding she stood and made her way to the bar.

o0o

"Come on Blondie rise and shine!"

Piper groaned as opening one eye she saw Boo standing over her grinning.

"How did you get in here?" She asked sleepily.

"Well, when you failed to show for breakfast I had reception call up to your room. As you didn't answer I 'persuaded' that pretty blonde cleaning girl to open your door so I could check you were OK. And hey, look, you are! Now get up so I can take you out and show you London 'Boo style'."

Piper groaned pulling the pillow over her head muttering, "You have to be kidding me!"

Boo snorted. "No joke. Look Blondie you need to get up and dressed so we can split. Polly is ready and waiting. If you don't we will leave you here to your fate."

Piper removed the pillow and eyed Boo cautiously. "What fate? How can laying in bed finally resting, be bad."

"Because princess, the wicked witch of the west is heading this way." Boo grinned and began humming ominously. "Look I had a call from Sophia saying Sylvie wanted to take you two to lunch with Sophia, her and the all important husband. She seemed to think I should be there too. I am guessing this was merely to even up the numbers, and possibly as a side show to distract from the two of them playing footsie under the table. Now I don't know about you but I can think of better ways to spend my last day here."

Piper groaned. "OK, OK. Give me 5 minutes."

"That's my girl!" Boo grinned turning to leave. As she got to the door she paused and said with a sweet smile, "Oh by the way blondie Alex said to tell you she got your message and she had her uniform pressed and would see you at the airport! She also said check your phone!"

Piper couldn't help but smile at the image of Alex in her chauffeur uniform that Boo's words instantly created in her head. Alex meeting her at the airport, she sighed, just as she had when she rescued her from her mothers. She needed to talk to her so badly but she was scared for the answers she was sure to hear. Waiting for Boo to leave Piper picked up her phone and fired of a text.

Getting up, grabbing some jeans and a sweater, Piper dressed quickly knowing she didn't have time to shower if Sylvie was already on her way. Pulling her hair back and hiding it under a hat she grabbed her bag and left the room.

"Right lets go!" Boo ushered Piper towards the stairs.

Once the small group of women were outside Boo said "I suggest we head to a quiet pub, order some food so Piper doesn't keel over, and take stock on last night."

"You want a meeting?" Polly frowned.

"Hey business, first fun later. I'd have had the meeting last night but you two had done a bunk before I could suggest it."

Polly grinned, "We had had enough talking shop," she admitted, "a wine party in our pj's was much more inviting."

"And you didn't invite me?" Boo clasped her hand to her chest in mock distress before grinning, "Business wont take long. I take a few notes to type up later, we pat each other on the back for how brilliant we all are, then we can get down to planning the route."

"What route?" Piper frowned. "Surely our flight is direct?"

Boo snorted looking at Polly, "Is she for real? No Blondie not the route home, the route out day of fun is going to take! Bars, clubs, shows… so much to see so little time! Now lets go!"

o0o

"So boss you excited to have your girl back tomorrow?" Nicky smiled as she placed a mug of coffee in front of Alex.

Barely looking up from her computer Alex nodded. "Sure Nick. At least I would be if I could get this report finished. Did you read the email I forwarded to you?"

Nicky nodded pulling out the chair opposite her boss and sitting down. "I wanted to ask you about that. It says that now Suzanne has officially left they are moving forward with the proposal to combine the two departments. Does that mean you will head them both?"

Alex stopped typing and looked at Nicky. "No, it means I can apply if I want too." She sighed. "Right now all I want to do is pick up Piper from the airport and go sit on a beach somewhere with her."

Nicky nodded. She knew Alex was working too hard. She knew the pressure the merger was having but also whatever it was going on in London that she was still keeping silent about.

"So take her somewhere. Go to her place, pack her a bag, book the tickets and when you meet her tomorrow whisk her off somewhere nice."

Alex smiled. "Yeah that sounds perfect. Except I got a text this morning."

"From Piper?"

"Yes from Piper. Not a call a text. Short and to the point. We need to talk."

"And you are worried?"

"Fuck Nick, of course I am worried. I have had Boo practically playing body guard over there, which I shouldn't have to do, and I am guessing even that wasn't enough. I might pack that case Nick and have that chat. And when she dumps me which I am sure she is about too I will go join Suzanne!" Alex gave a shrug. Returning to her report dismissing Nicky in the action.

Returning to her desk Nicky sent Boo a message. Something was going on and she had stayed out of it long enough but she would not let Piper or anyone else turn Alex into the mess Maureen had made of Suzanne. As much as Nicky mocked Suzanne when she had seen her last she was shocked at just how sad and broken the woman had looked. Whatever was going on with Piper in London Nicky needed to make sure Alex was OK.

o0o

"Piper why am I getting texts from Nicky asking why you are breaking up with Alex?" Boo asked glaring across the table of now empty plates. They were sat in a quiet pub, The Duck on the Pond, down a quiet back street had eaten a late cooked breakfast which Boo insisted they wash down with champagne. It was a celebration after all!

Piper, eyes glazed, shrugged. "I don't know, ask Nicky?" She muttered dismissively.

"What's going on!" Boo leaned across the table glaring at Piper. "Nick would not contact me if she wasn't worried. What have you done?"

"Whoa! Wait a minute. Why is it me that has done something?" Piper hissed, the drink having lowered her guard, her anger at the situation now flowing.

"You told me you had spoken to Alex. You said things were OK. But you then sent her a text saying you need to talk. In anyone's language that's code for 'I'm breaking up with you!'" Boo shook her head. "Look at where you are Piper. You are in London having successfully launched your product. You are returning home to a unit full of stock which is selling across the States. And the reason for that… Alex! Yet now you have this success, now she has got you what you wanted, you are going to dump her… well all I can say is maybe you are not the person I thought you were and certainly not the person Alex deserves." Boo stood up. "Suddenly I am not in the mood to celebrate. Sorry Polly." She threw some cash on the table. "I will see you in the morning at the airport." She muttered and left Polly and Piper staring after her.

"Why didn't you say something?" Polly muttered looking at Piper. "Why didn't you defend yourself? Tell her about the things Sophia said?"

Piper sighed. "Because it is between me and Alex now. I'm sorry Polly, sorry this trip ended up such a saga. I just want to go home."

"Piper why did you tell Alex you needed to talk in a text message. That is not like you."

"Because we do need to talk and she was messaging me about a holiday, talking as if everything was OK. But it isn't OK. I could not have the conversation over the phone, it seemed the easiest way until we get back. I never mentioned breaking up. I love her Polly, I don't want that, but I do want answers."

"But maybe this is all Sylvie. Maybe none of what Sophia said is true."

"Yes I know, so I need to talk to Alex. And that's all I said. When she asked if I wanted to go on holiday I just said we needed to talk."

Polly shook her head. "The sooner we get home the better."

o0o

"Over there!" Polly pointed a smile forming as she saw Alex standing a head above most everyone else, black suit on, glasses in place, serious expression on her face as she held a sign saying PoPi, her eyes fixed firmly on Piper who could feel her gaze as if it burned her. "You go," Polly encouraged, "Pete said he would be here somewhere, I'll wait for Boo, give her a ride. You two need to talk."

Piper turned, startled at the fact she would be alone with Alex when she had counted on this time to have Boo and Polly act as a buffer. Walking towards Alex now she realised Alex looked as unprepared for this development as she felt. She smiled at Piper but asked, "Where are they going?"

"Pete is collecting them." Piper admitted, suddenly feeling very self conscious. She pulled her case closer as if for protection, "they wanted to give us some space."

Alex nodded, "OK. Home then?" She asked and at receiving Pipers nod, headed towards the car. Once sat inside the sleek vehicle, Alex turned and looked at the young woman beside her and asked "What's wrong Pipes. What happened over there?"

Piper closed her eyes for a second, hearing the concern in Alex's voice, before opening them and saying "Sylvie."

She watched Alex closely, waiting for a reaction. Nothing. The silence filling the car now was uncomfortable as Alex started the car and manoeuvred out of the airport heading in the direction of home. Piper was grateful the journey was short. When she realised Alex had taken her to her own home, rather than Pipers apartment, she said "Why have you come here?"

"Because we do need to talk Piper. Not when I'm driving, not over the phone, I get it now, but we do need to talk. I need a drink and you look like you do too so lets go in get comfortable and I will explain."

"Alex did you know she would be there?" Piper asked not moving to exit the vehicle.

Alex nodded "Yes."

"Did you and her have a relationship?"

Alex nodded, "Yes Pipes, but it was a long time ago."

Piper sighed. "I'd like to go home please." She said sadly.

"Piper we need to talk, so I can explain."

"Maybe." Piper shrugged, "but right now I am tired. I have spent the past few days trying to convince myself I was wrong. Wanting to believe you would not send me there, to her, with no warning, no preparation. Boo knew didn't she. What about Nicky? Lorna?" Piper opened the door, "forget the ride, I will walk." She opened the back of the car, pulled out her luggage and began to walk away. She heard Alex get out, heard her call her name, but she didn't turn round.

o0o

"Piper? What are you doing here so early?" Polly frowned as she entered the unit the following morning.

"You are here," Piper pointed out calmly, "why shouldn't I be?"

Polly looked closely at her friend. "I thought you would be with Alex, that you would have things to discuss."

Piper shook her head. "No. She admitted she knew Sylvie would be there, that yes they had had a relationship… what else is there to say?"

"She didn't deny it? Defend or explain why she hadn't warned you, the reason there is such animosity?"

"I didn't give her the chance." Piper admitted, "I walked home, turned off my phone and slept until 4. Then I did my washing, went for a run and ended up here." She smiled at her friend. "It is actually nice to be back doing something productive."

Polly moved to search for some coffee. Nursing a mug of steaming brown liquid she took a seat next to Piper who was she saw taking inventory of the shelves. "What happens now?" She asked quietly.

Piper looked up, "We restock, the start again. The contract with Barney's still stands, we still have orders to fill…"

"And you? What about you? You love her Piper. You need at least hear her out."

"Not today." Piper said, her tone final. "Today I just want to make soap."

Polly let Piper work on the inventory as she listened to the messages they had received in there absence. The last one, from Nicky, had come through the previous evening welcoming them back and inviting them to the bar to celebrate with the team.

"We should go." Polly pointed out when she saw Piper tense as she listened without comment. "They helped us so much Piper, we owe them a drink at the very least."

Piper couldn't deny they truth in Polly's words she just wished she felt strong enough emotionally to face Alex. "One drink." She agreed grudgingly. She saw Polly smile and reach to text Nicky. Maybe, Piper thought, she would go change before then, she didn't want to arrive looking like this, she looked down at the baggy sweat pants and hoody she was wearing. As much as she denied it to Polly, and herself she realised now, the thought of not speaking to Alex felt like the end of the world and if she was going to see her tonight she wanted to at least look like she hadn't been dragged through a hedge backwards.

When 5 o'clock arrived Piper mentioned the need for a change of clothes, and Polly, now covered in dust herself, was more than happy with the suggestion; so agreeing to meet in 30 minutes the friends parted. When Piper arrived at the bar, now dressed casually in jeans and a blue shirt hair straightened and make-up retouched, she was delighted with the whoop of delight that greeted her entrance. Beer thrust in her hand, questions fired eagerly at her, it took her a second to realise neither Nicky or Alex were present. When Polly had arrived and received the same welcome Piper noted the time and turning to Daya asked "No Nicky or Alex tonight?"

Daya looked surprised at the question. "Nicky is working, she said she was going to message you, Alex has gone away. You didn't know?"

Polly saw the disappointment on Pipers face so jumped in. "No, I mean Nicky only asked us this morning, when did this happen?"

"Well Alex had her interview this morning, for the head of the merged departments. She didn't return after though, she just called in, said she was going to take off for a few days, gave Nicky a list of jobs still to do. Nicky has been locked in Alex's office ever since. I thought you would have known." Daya admitted softly. "Thought Alex would have told you first."

"Told me?" Piper asked confused.

"She has left Barney's Piper."

o0o

A/N: So before anything else an apology! Technical issues meant I was without a computer last weekend and the resulting work backlog made writing near impossible. Back on track now, I hope.

Thank you so much for all the lovely messages, enquiries and encouragement. I know this chapter is short but approaching the end of the school year gets a bit chaotic. Soon (8 more working day!) I will have more time to indulge. A x