Piper gently removed Alex's arm from around her waist and climbed carefully out of the bed so as not to disturb the sleeping woman. She contemplated crawling back in beside her when she gazed down at Alex's long slim legs bare beneath the short t-shirt, but steeled herself and grabbing some short and a vest top went into the bathroom to change. She needed to run. She had slept far better than she had expected and knew some of that was thanks to the comforting warmth of Alex's body pressed against her own all night but now, awake, she knew she needed to think about all Alex had told her and the best way she could, do that was to run. Checking her watch, she knew she didn't have long as she wanted to visit Polly in the hospital before starting what was bound to be a long day. Quietly leaving her apartment Piper walked to the park planning her route in her head and was soon relieved to see the early hour meant it was relatively empty she stretched before breaking into a gentle jog.
Alex was back. Not only was she back but she was staying. Piper vaguely remembered her saying this Robin Bracken was interested in the PoPi brand, but Piper had been more keen on hearing Alex's other news to focus much on that last night, she would have to ask for more details soon. As her pace picked up Piper wondered how much of the story Alex had told her last night she had ever told to anyone else. Piper felt pretty certain Nicky was not aware of it, which meant Carrie was probably the only person with any real knowledge of the young Alex. She had sounded so vulnerable last night Piper reflected, so scared she, Piper, would reject her. But seeing as how Sylvie had treated her in the past and the recent present, Piper reasoned, that probably wasn't so surprising. Piper remembered the Alex she had first met, the scornful business woman, sneering at the idea of marriage or relationships, the woman who was all business. That wasn't the person Piper had grown to know, it was not the woman she had left sleeping in her bed. When had it changed? As she completed her first circuit of the park Piper realised Alex had grown to trust her and that trust had been shown fully last night. Smiling Piper turned out of the gates making her way back home. She suddenly just wanted to be with Alex and to thank her for trusting her.
o0o
Stretching Alex felt the space beside her and opened her eyes. Piper was gone. Blinking and reaching for her glasses Alex tried not to panic as she looked around the room. As she moved into the living room the apartment door opened and Piper was there grinning.
"Hey! You're up!"
"Hi yourself!" Alex smiled hoping the panic she had been beginning to feel was not evident in her voice. "Needed to think?" She raised an eyebrow as she surveyed Pipers attire.
Piper grinned. "Kind of, but then my thinking got me to realising I had left a gorgeous woman in my bed, and as Nicky has pointed out to me in the past, fresh air is no comparison!"
Alex sniggered, "sounds like Nicky. So what are your plans for today?"
Piper sighed, "I have to go see Polly, then go through applications for some kind of help at PoPi's. I don't want Polly to feel under any pressure to come back until she wants too. We can afford to hire someone now so …"
Alex had moved closer and was smiling down at Piper. "How about I help?" she offered. "We can go visit Polly together, I have to return her key after all, then I can come help you sort through possible candidates."
Piper grinned. "Ok, on one condition."
"What?" Alex aske cautiously.
"You kiss me first!"
o0o
By the time the two women walked through the doors of the hospital Polly was awake, had had breakfast and was sat reading a newspaper.
Looking up she grinned. "Well looking at the two of you! I am guessing I am not in trouble for handing over my spare key!"
Piper shook her head and bent too hug her friend whispering "Thank you!" in her ear before standing. "Not only am I not mad, I have a volunteer to spare you the task of candidate sieving." She smiled. "Alex it seems has some time on her hands so has volunteered to help."
Polly grinned at Alex. "You have some free time from work so you are spending it working?"
Alex shrugged, "what can I say, Piper was persuasive!" she winked. Earning a chuckle from Polly and an indignant "Hey!" From Piper who spun around about to point out Alex had volunteered but seeing Alex's laughing eyes she poked out her tongue and returned her attention to her friend.
"So how do you feel?" she asked genuine concern in her voice.
"Ok, bored! I spoke to Pete last night; he is coming home early so hopefully of he can be at home with me I might get out of here early at least."
"Well make sure he knows you are meant to be resting not running around after him!" Piper stated sternly.
Alex had watched the two friends listening quietly to the exchange before commenting. "Why don't you both go away?" She suggested quietly.
"Alex," Piper interrupted "Polly is meant to be resting, bed rest, not travelling."
"Yes, I know that!" Alex frowned "what I meant was if she wants to spring this joint but you think Pete might not take the resting part of her instruction carefully why don't you book into a hotel. That way you can stay in bed, order room service but also spend quality time together. Got to be worth thinking about."
Polly smiled "Sounds perfect!" she smiled kindly at Alex. "I will definitely think about it." She agreed before changing the subject and asking Alex about her new job. Soon an hour had passed and Piper looking at her watch tapped Alex's knee.
"Come on we have work to do!" She hugged Polly once more. "I will be back later." she promised "but call if you need anything." Waving the two women left and returned to Alex's car.
"Was I wrong suggesting Polly and Pete stay in a hotel?" Alex asked once back on the road. "I noticed how she was quite keen to change the subject."
Piper shrugged. "I think she is trying to save money. With the business being so new they are relying on Pete's wage and buying all the stuff for the baby wasn't cheap, now with hospital bills too. She wasn't offended though," Piper quickly reassured Alex who nodded but didn't comment further.
Once at thee unit Piper retrieved the pile of applications she had been avoiding and handed half to Alex. "I need someone who is keen to learn." She stated firmly.
"So you don't want someone who is experienced?" Alex was a little surprised.
"Not necessarily," Piper admitted. "I mean I know it sounds silly but this is our business, I don't want someone coming in and either trying to take over or telling us we are doing things wrong. But I do want someone who is keen and not afraid of getting their hands dirty, literally."
"Ok" Alex smiled she looked at the first form, "are you worried about age?"
"No not at all." Piper admitted, "I assumed young people would be out only applicants but no, I have no preference."
Soon the two women had various piles on front of them as they systematically worked. Once the applications had been sorted Piper smiled. "This would have taken me all day to do alone! Thank you!"
"I will let you buy me lunch as payment!" Alex grinned, "A large lunch seeing as how I missed breakfast!"
"You only missed breakfast because you wouldn't get dressed!" Piper smirked.
"And I didn't get dressed," Alex pointed out laughing "because you seemed reluctant to let me go and were fascinated with my appearance in your t-shirt!"
Piper blushed a little remembering how what she had intended to be a simple kiss that morning had quickly become heated the moment she had felt Alex bare legs pressed against her own and her hands had played with the hem on the shirt which looked so good on Alex. "Maybe tonight," she suggested shyly "you could wear the shirt I bought you in London."
"You bought me a shirt?"
"Yes, err, before things got complicated you might remember I sent you a picture of me in a shirt."
Alex's eyes darkened. "Yes, Piper I remember… so you are giving me a second hand shirt?" She teased.
"Yes!" Piper smiled.
"Good," Alex pulled Piper onto her lap, "seeing as we got this done far quicker than you expected, why don't you show me just exactly how grateful you are." She punctuated the last few words with kisses along Piper's neck.
Laughing Piper pulled away. "Behave!" She giggled, "I will not let you distract me we still have a ton of work to get done."
"But Pipes, you just said yourself how much time this had saved!" Alex whined, following Piper into the kitchen watching as she filled their mugs with coffee.
"Yes, and as a result we should get out of here before dark." Piper admitted "but we have a schedule. You see those people over at Barneys are quite specific about when they want their orders filled."
"I will have a word with Nicky," Alex continued this time putting her arms either side of Pipers on the counter effectively trapping her in front of her body, moving closer and groaning as she felt her pressed against her. "Nick will understand Pipes. It's been so long!"
"Ok Alex stop!" Piper tried to sound serious as she pushed back against Alex ducking under her arm. "Look if you want to be helpful, want us to get out of her early go take the resumes to Polly, go through them with her and decided on a few for interview and arrange that for me for one-day next week, the earlier the better. While you are doing that I will get this done then I will meet you back at mine and cook us dinner. Deal?"
Sensing she would be unable to change Pipers mind Alex nodded reluctantly and went to gather the piles of paper work they had sorted. "We came in my car," she suddenly remembered. "How will you get back?"
"How about you go see Polly, then maybe call in on Nicky or beryl, I am sure they would both welcome an update! Then come collect me about 7?"
Alex nodded trying to hide her disappointment at the late hour Piper was intending to work. By the time she got to the hospital Alex was moody. She didn't want to be spending time with Polly, it was Piper she wanted to be talking to.
"Well you look happy!" Polly smirked. "Has she got you running errands?"
"No she has just kicked me out." Alex muttered.
Polly laughed. "Let me guess you didn't take the soap make process seriously or maybe hinted that it wasn't a proper job?"
"Neither," Alex answered defensively. "I just wanted us to finish a little early seeing as how we had got the applications sorted."
"You have interviewed already? Chosen someone, and got the order done?" Polly's eyes widened impressed.
"God no. I mean we sorted the many candidates into likely, possible and rejects." Alex dumped the papers on Polly's bed. "That's why I am here so you can choose."
"So Piper is what, doing the order?"
"Yes, don't worry the order is being filled!" Alex snapped.
Polly grinned openly now. "You remember when we first met you, working all night, in early mornings. Nicky used to complain you didn't have a life. Well you may also remember offering Piper some advice early on about how important it is to behave professionally to succeed. She took that advise very very seriously. She quotes it often and knows you were right. She is working hard Alex not just to make PoPi's a success all of course that is a huge part of her motivation but to also prove to you she is not the idiot you first thought her to be."
"Of course I don't think she is an idiot." Alex almost shouted defensively before lowering her voice. "And what the two of you have achieved with PoPi's is amazing and very professional. I just missed her Polly, wanted a little time to catch up."
Polly noticed Alex sounded almost embarrassed as her last words left her mouth and taking pity on her she said "Piper was so sad when you weren't here. Of course she will want to spend time with you but surely it is better you have her whole attention than half, with the rest of her worrying about things she thinks she should have done at work."
"I guess." Alex admitted reluctantly.
"Good! So show me what you think is the likely pile and we can crack on."
So the two women reviewed the paperwork finally agreeing on 3 possible candidates.
"You want to wait until you are home so you can interview too?" Alex asked.
"No, I trust Piper, and you. I mean we choose the same resumes so we are looking for the same thing. Will you help Piper; with the interviews I mean?" Polly asked curiously.
"Oh I doubt very much she will either want or need my help." Alex admitted, knowing, now she had calmed down, Piper was working hard and more than capable.
"Maybe she will be happy for you to help. Will mean she can focus on the order." Polly prompted. She knew Alex had more than enough experience and it really would be good to get her help.
"I'll ask." Alex finally conceded. "But its Pipers call Polly. This is your business."
"Ok, well go ring these people, set up the interviews then piper can decide if she wants you there. Then maybe you should go see Nicky! She has been messaging me. She was not happy to know you had been here several times but hadn't visited her! If I was you I would take bribes." Polly saw Alex flinch. "Go on go. And thanks Alex."
O0o
"Oh so you finally found time to come see me!" Nicky was already round the desk hugging the taller woman. "Ok sit. I need news, all the news. But tell me first Piper, everything is ok with you two?"
Alex nodded slowly looking at her friend she said "Yes, its ok."
"You don't sound too sure." Nicky frowned. "She is still mad, about that Sylvie woman, about you going to London?"
"No, she is not mad. She is busy. Polly is not able to work; she is trying to fill the order for here alone. But Nick I want to make it like it was before. I am just not sure I can. If it is too late."
"Of course it is not too late!" Nicky scoffed a little surprised Alex seemed so defeated.
"She practically kicked me out before."
"Why?" Nicky frowned. Then as Alex explained Nicky chuckled. "Ok what would you have done if 6 months ago someone had come in here and done to you what you did to Piper! Alex you practically said her job wasn't as important as sex with you!"
"I did no such thing!" Alex exclaimed. "I know how important PoPi's is to Piper. I just…."
"You are just horny and want sex!" Nick chuckled. "Ok boss here's what you do. Sort out what you can work wise for her, even employ someone if you have too, then collect her, wine and dine her. Why don't I ring Lorna and get her to book you a table and room? All romantic, roses, champagne. The works. Let her know you are sorry then put it right."
"I don't know…" Alex hesitated, but Nicky was already on the phone regaling the story to Lorna.
"Nick!" Alex huffed, not impressed at being the centre of their gossip but also unsure of what to do to make Piper see she was (a) serious and (b) believed in her. By the time Nicky had hung up and handed Alex a piece of paper Alex was on her phone texting Piper.
"Right get out of here you." Nicky snapped, "some of us have work to do. Oh and Lorna said you and Piper are coming clubbing with us this Saturday! No excuses, so you have until then to set this straight."
Waving goodbye to her friend Alex waited until she was outside to call Piper.
"Hey Pipes. Are you sure you are happy for me to do this. I have had it pointed out to me that I was very wrong! I'm sorry! It's your business Pipes, your call."
Piper grinned, she knew Alex was not one for admitting she was wrong unless she was 100% serious and she could hear the seriousness in her voice. "Alex you are far more experienced in interviewing than either me or Polly, we have agreed the candidates, you know the business, if you are happy to do interviews it will save me a whole day of stress. I mean it, I am more than happy!"
"Ok," Alex could hear Piper was serious. "In that case I will be outside at 7, I am taking you to dinner. Be ready!"
o0o
"So explain again where we are going?" Piper frowned, Alex had mumbled something about going out for the evening then had swiftly turned the conversation back to work.
"It's a surprise." Alex muttered glancing cautiously at Piper.
"Al, I love that you want to surprise me, but I am hardly dressed for going out."
"No and I guessed you would say that, so I have brought you something to change into."
"But why? Why can't we just go home?" Piper was feeling unsettled by Alex's shifty behaviour.
"Because both Polly and Nicky pointed out that I was wrong earlier, and they were right, I was wrong to try to distract you from work Piper, I am sorry. It's just…" Alex hesitated, suddenly very glad Piper had forced this conversation now, when she was driving, not over the dinner table as she had planned when then Alex would have to look directly at Piper. "It's just I missed you and I wanted you."
When Piper didn't comment immediately Alex took her fixed gaze of the road to look at the woman in the passenger seat. She was surprised to see Piper sat with a huge grin on her face. "What?" She demanded defensively.
"Nothing!" Piper grinned, "It's just cute. Alex Vause, not only shy but being schooled in the ways of wooing a woman by Nicky Nichols!"
"I'm not wooing you!" Alex muttered suddenly wishing she had kept her mouth shut?
"No? then why all the secrecy and planning. Why the fancy dinner with smart clothes?"
"Maybe I was just horny."
"Nope," Piper chuckled, "no denying it, you are being romantic and its lovely.
"It is?" Alex was a little more hopeful now she knew Piper seemed pleased.
"Of course its lovely Alex. And I wasn't mad earlier I just panic when we have orders to fill. With Polly not there I feel doubly responsible. But what you did today, organising those interviews, well it really did help."
"I'm glad." Alex smiled. "But I don't want to talk about work Pipes, tonight let's forget work, forget orders and interviews and just enjoy us."
"Deal. But where exactly are we going?"
"Well while I was being 'schooled' by miss Nichols she may have just arranged with Lorna for us to stay at the plaza tonight, she booked us a table and room."
"Are they joining us?"
"No Pipes, it's about us remember, this night is about us. But I was informed we have to go clubbing with them this weekend."
Piper laughed "Sounds perfect. So what did you pack for me?"
Her nervous tone had Alex grinning now. "Why, nervous?"
"Yes!" Piper laughed.
Pulling up in front of the hotel Alex handed her keys to the uniformed valet and indicated they had bags also. Placing a guiding hand on Piper's waist they entered the foyer only to be greeted by the loud voice of Lorna.
"You guys made it! I am so glad. I have booked you a nice room." She winked at Alex receiving a frown in return, "and a table is booked for an hour. But if you want room service," she nudged Piper suggestively, "just ring down."
"Err thanks." Piper smiled a little nervous by Lorna's enthusiasm.
"Now you kids go have fun!" She called as she watched Alex pull Piper towards the reception desk.
By the time they had reached the room Piper was chuckling. "She doesn't do subtle does she!"
"She has been hanging with Nicky too long." Alex muttered. "I bet she has the room bugged." She looked around suspiciously.
"Don't be silly." Piper chuckled. "But I am sure she is on the phone to Nicky now telling her we are here. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they have the dinner table next to ours!"
"Oh my god your right! I can just see Nicky doing that." Alex said horrified, "and calling out tips!" She shuddered, "room service it is then!"
"But you packed me this dress." Piper was pulling the dress out of the clothes carrier, "it will be nice to dress up."
"We can dress up here" Alex looked around the room. "This room is certainly big enough! We can eat at the table look."
Nodding Piper smiled, "Ok, but don't order the food to arrive just yet I want to shower first."
"Ok, you go wash up, I will order and tell them to deliver it in an hour. What shall I get you?"
"Surprise me." Piper grinned before disappearing into the bathroom.
Alex sat on the bed looking around the room. It was lovely, she would have to thank Lorna tomorrow. Picking up the phone she ordered some food and wine and went to her own bag. She had wanted to feel comfortable but figured her normal black jeans would look out of place here, so had finally settled on a short black skirt and a shirt which appeared black but had flecks of emerald green in it. Knowing Piper was likely to be a while Alex had showered before collecting her from work so now she stripped quickly, pulling on the clean clothes and moving to the mirror to pull her long hair back.
She heard the water in the shower turn off indicating Piper would be out once she had dried her hair, this gave Alex 15 minutes or so, so moving quickly she pulled the small table into the centre of the room.
Opening the knocked door, she smiled to see a young smartly dressed man carrying the flowers she had requested and some linen to cover the table they worked quickly leaving with a smile and a large tip. As the bathroom door opened Alex turned to see Piper, looking beautiful in a dark blue dress, her hair curling to her shoulders and a huge smile on her face as she looked at the table.
"Al this is lovely! Did you organise this?"
"Yes, I don't need Nicky for everything." Alex smirked. Another knock brought the arrival of their food and Piper groaned in pleasure at the sight of the steaks set before them.
"I hadn't realised how hungry I was." she admitted. Attacking her food before Alex had even finished pouring the wine.
"Well I was guessing you didn't stop to eat after I left so figured this would be a good choice." Alex smiled.
As they ate Piper realised this was the first time she had spent alone with Alex in a hotel.
"Why have we not done this before?" She asked suddenly.
"Because we have been busy." Alex pointed out. "Because you had a new apartment and needed to get settled. I had wanted us to go away." Alex admitted looking into Piper's bright blue eyes as she made the admission. "I had wanted to go away, just the two of us. But I had hoped for a remote beach rather than one night in a hotel in the city."
Piper smiled, "it sounds lovely Alex, but I am not sure either of us have time for that."
"No I know." Alex shrugged. "But it suddenly felt like we were far apart."
Piper put down her fork and moved around the table she squeezed onto Alex lap and kissed her lips softly.
"Maybe for a while we were drifting, or maybe it was just struggling to find the right pace for us both, or we were individually trying to both prove ourselves or protect the other person. But Al, I'm not going anywhere. I realised in London, before things got crazy, that the feelings I have for you are strong. All this," she waved at the room. "It's lovely, really lovely but I don't need it you know. I'd have been happy for us to get a drive through McDonalds and to sit on the sofa sharing a strawberry sundae, as long as I was with you."
Alex grinned.
"What?" Piper asked not sure what she had said that was so amusing.
"Go look at the trolley, at desert."
Standing up Piper moved to the trolley that had been place by the side of the table, lifting the domed lid she laughed. A large dish full of vanilla and strawberry ice-cream, covered in fresh berries and strawberry sauce sat on a silver plate.
"Only one?" she asked smiling, pretty sure Alex's thinking had been like her own.
"As much as I love the idea of sitting on the sofa and sharing with you, I was thinking maybe we could share this particular sundae in bed." Alex smiled.
"Perfect!" Piper grinned.
o0o
A/N: Double apologies this week, firstly for the delay but for also not replying to all the lovely messages and reviews. So happy people are still reading even though I have not been very consistent in updating. Hope you enjoy this chapter and the beginning of the new phase in the relationship, next chapter will continue from where this one leaves off ;-)
A x