A/N: Vauseman edging closer... I *might* treat you to a double chapter upload this weekend. Hope you enjoy this one folks and thanks for the Reviewers - you are awesome and dedicated and I thank you all for it :-)
Alex wanted to get to the showing, but she was still very unsure about Piper's state of mind. Polly had told her that Piper was adamant she couldn't go and see her in the hospital, but was that because she didn't want a confrontation with her parents? Or was it because she actually didn't want to see her for other reasons? It was all too easy for her to slip into flirting with Piper and it was kind of like when they first met, with banter full of innuendo and teasing. But Alex was conscious of all that remained unsaid between them and the fact that Piper was only just out of hospital after being raped. Thinking about that again made her stomach turn and she quickly regained composure to get on with the job she was supposed to be here for, to help Piper get her independence back. This wasn't about Alex trying to get back in Piper's good books, it was about caring for someone deeply who had gone through a horrendous ordeal only recently and she had to keep her mind on that.
"Well how about I show you I can make a mean omelette for dinner now that the grocery guy is at the door?" She walked to the door to open it and let the delivery guy in to drop off the bags on the kitchen counter. Piper made her way to the breakfast bar stools while he brought the last bags in and began unpacking them.
"Shouldn't you be sitting on the couch and letting me do this?"
"I'm not completely useless Alex, I can put a few groceries away. I might need you to reach up for the higher cupboards but at least I'll know everything is in the right place when I come to look for it if I put it away. Otherwise I'll be sitting there pointing to cupboards while you raise each item to ask where it goes. You get on with that omelette you promised me and I'll get these cleared away. The pans are in that drawer over there."
Piper cleared out the fridge fungus first and made the fridge sparkle before putting anything in it. There was a strange sense of achievement in doing a job that never seems to get done all year and actually being able to do something herself again without being wrapped in cotton wool made her feel a bit more human. Alex served up a couple of delicious Spanish omelettes with some coffee and they sat in comfortable silence eating at the breakfast bar. Piper took her pain meds with her food and the growing headache was kept at bay again.
"I can clear these up Alex, I can hear your phone beeping with messages. You must have a few things to sort for work, so I can do these while you catch up with the office if you like."
"Yeah, I won't be long. Just need to make sure Nicky hasn't made me bankrupt already." Alex smiled and went to read the messages on her phone. She called into the office and sorted a few questions out before opening her laptop to send some mails. Piper cleaned the dishes, then cleaned all the counters and cupboard doors. It was kind of therapeutic to do something physical where she could pace herself and do as much or as little as she wanted.
Polly came in just after 6 with a couple of bags of groceries under her arms.
"Hey Pol. Ah, you bought groceries…we kinda got a few things in today already. The cupboards were pretty bare, so we got a delivery earlier. Can never have too much when I have nothing else to do all day than eat though, right?"
"Well, these bags are mostly wine for me to be honest. It's been full on at the store today and we're all out of the small gift sets. I brought some of the boxes back if you could make some more up tonight maybe?"
"Yeah, of course! It'll give me something to do."
"Erm, you've done a lot already today Piper. Don't overdo it tonight will you? She has cleaned the kitchen this afternoon Polly and although she told me she felt just fine, I noticed her wincing when she was reaching the top cupboards." Alex raised her eyebrow at Piper to let her know she had her eye on her.
"It's nothing. It's been good to do something other than sit down all day."
"Alright. Well, I'll get going and see you tomorrow then. Same time in the morning OK Polly?"
"Yep, fine with me. Is there any chance you could stay a little later tomorrow night though? I need to take Pete shopping to drop some very heavy hints about what I want for Christmas, just to make sure I don't get a crap present off him. I know he hasn't got anything yet and I'm not having any of the sorry looking leftovers in some last minute trolley dash."
Alex chuckled. "Yeah, no worries. I don't have any plans, so take your time in the expensive stores. See you in the morning." She put her coat on and picked up her bag, closing the door behind her as she left.
"Well? Were you cleaning blood off the kitchen worktops earlier?"
"No. It was OK. It was fine actually. She didn't give me any shit about the attack, like I expected. Didn't even mention it in fact. I was expecting her to make me sit on the sofa all day like an invalid, but she let me help in the kitchen and she wasn't overbearing."
"And?" Polly crossed her arms as she stood in front of Piper, raising her eyebrows like she was waiting for an answer.
"And what? We didn't have sex or kill each other if that's what you're asking."
"I'm waiting for you to admit I was right and you were wrong. That Alex doesn't want to control you, she just wanted to help you because she cares. Are you going to admit that now?"
"It's been one day Polly. Alex knows how to play a long game better than anyone I know. Don't think she can't turn on the charm far a day or more at will. So I'm not admitting anything right now." Piper folded her arms to indicate the conversation was over and Polly went back to the car to pick up the other things from the store.
Polly made a pasta for dinner while Piper sat on the floor in the lounge making the gift boxes up. It felt good to be contributing something to the store to help Polly out for the first time in over a week. They ate at the breakfast bar, with Piper looking at Polly's glass of wine with obvious envy and Polly brought her up to date on what has been happening at the store. They washed up together and Polly poured another glass of wine.
"Hey Pol, can you give me a hand getting into the bath if I run the water now? Just need you to help me get in and sit down, then you can go finish your wine or call Pete, whatever."
"Yep, just give me a shout when you're ready."
Piper went to run the water and get ready. She was starting to feel the ache of being a bit more mobile at home than she had been for the last week and thought a long, hot soak in the bath might ease her muscles a little before bed. She called Polly to help her into the bath and settled down into the suds from one of PoPis' scented bath foams from the Christmas range. The warming smell of the cinnamon and pepper scent causing her to inhale deeply and relax, closing her eyes for a while in the quiet.
It was 40 mins later when Polly came in and woke her up. "Come on sleepy head, I don't think I'm supposed to let you fall asleep in deep water while I'm looking after you. Looks like cleaning the kitchen wiped you out today, so you should sleep well tonight. Let's get you out of there so you can dry off before bed." She pulled her up out of the luke warm water and handed Piper a towel to dry off, before heading out to lock up and turn all the lights out. Polly was also tired from the wine and the long shifts, so was happy for an early night.
XXXXX
After sleeping soundly through the night, Piper got up early and was dressed by the time Polly came out of the bathroom. She made them both a coffee and some toasted bagels while Polly was putting the gift boxes into the car and they were sat eating breakfast when Alex knocked on the door. Polly went to open it and let her in, leaving Alex to hang her coat up before walking over to the kitchen.
"Good Morning. You're up and already having breakfast hey?"
"Yup. Slept sooo well last night too. You want a coffee? You look like you haven't had one yet…"
"Yes please. No, I didn't sleep quite as well either as a damned European shipping company had me on the phone 'til past midnight. All sorted now though, so what's the plan for today?"
"What time is your appointment at the hospital Piper? Alex, can you take her to see the Doctor for a check-up?"
"Um, 11am I think. I won't be in long. He just wants to check my meds are right and see how things are healing I guess. You can wait in the car in fact Alex, I'll not be gone long."
"Sure, we can set off at about 10:15 and no, I will come in with you. You're not used to walking on your own, so you either sit in a chair and have a nurse take you in or I help you walk it." Alex took her coffee from Piper and warmed her hands around the mug. It was freezing outside today and the wind was biting.
"OK. Whatever. I'm going to brush my teeth and do something presentable with my hair if I'm making a rare public appearance today. Can you guys play nice without me?" She didn't even look back to see the reaction on their faces, but she knew eyebrows would have moved position on both faces.
"Can you make sure the Doctor knows she is still in pain between her meds? I think she'll tell him everything's fine just to stop this 24 hour being looked after thing. She fell asleep in the bath last night too, so that could be a sign she was doing too much or it could be the meds, I'm not sure. Worth you knowing in case she does need to switch meds."
"Alright, will do. Enjoy your shopping trip and don't worry about getting back early. I think she'll be in bed early by the sounds of it and I've got work I can be doing to catch up so it doesn't matter if I'm here or at home in fact."
"Great, I'll let you know when we're done." Polly shouted her goodbye to Piper as she headed out of the door to work and left them to it.
Alex insisted on an extra coat and scarf for Piper before she helped her outside and into the car. Piper didn't have much meat on her bones to protect her from the cold anyway, but she also wasn't used to being outside in the winter air now.
"So, how are you feeling?"
"Aren't I supposed to wait until I see the Doctor to start answering that question?"
"Well, consider this a practice run. How are you?"
"I'm OK. Honestly, I'm feeling better each day. You don't need to wrap me in cotton wool you know. I was tired after yesterday, but that's not a bad thing. It tires my mind as well as my body being active like that, so I was glad of it."
"And the pain? Are you getting the headaches between meds?"
"A little, but it's nothing serious."
"OK. Well don't do too much."
They rode in silence as Piper watched the traffic and people going about their business through the passenger window. As they were sat in traffic, she saw a family coming out of a store with lots of bags. They were all laughing and the children were smiling from ear to ear as their Mother unwrapped a couple of big red candy canes for them.
"You know, I keep forgetting its Christmas. My parents had a big tree up and I was watching Christmas films when I was there, but being back home and stuck in the apartment all day I kinda forget this is happening until Polly tells me how busy the store has been. She was still staring out of the window as she spoke.
They pulled into the hospital car park and Alex found a space quite close to the doors. She went around to help Piper out of the car and took her arm as they walked through the front doors and through to the outpatients department. Piper have her name at the front desk and they took a seat while they waited for her to be called through. It wasn't long before Dr Shetty came to greet her and take her to his consultation room.
"Hello Ms Chapman, it's nice to see you up and walking about now. Is your friend going to help you to my office?" He smiled at them both and showed them the way.
"Yes, this is Alex. Is it Ok if she sits in with me?"
"Of course. You can sit just here Alex and if you can just sit over on this examination bed for a moment Ms Chapman." Alex helped Piper to the examination bed and stood back to let the Doctor stand next to Piper.
"I'd like to see how these ribs are doing, so can you just lift your top up for me please?" Piper lifted her shirt up to just below her bra and Alex saw the purple bruising all along the left side of her ribs for the first time.
Doctor Shetty felt along each rib and Piper winced as he progressed. "Sorry Ms Chapman, just checking how well they are healing since we took the split off. The bruising is clearing up nicely now…"
Alex was shocked that this was an improvement to how they had been previously and she felt her fists clenching by her side as she thought of the man who did this to Piper.
The Doctor checked the bruising around her throat and was pleased that this was almost gone now. Her eye was still a little swollen, but the worst of the bruising was gone. He checked the stitches in the side of her head and was pleased with the way the wound was healing up.
"You can pull your shirt back down now Ms Chapman, thank you. I'm pleased with the way your body is healing. You'll see those bruises get better each day now and your ribs will take time to recover fully, but you'll get more mobile as time goes on." He walked over to his desk and gestured for Piper to take a seat in front of his desk now, so Alex helped her up.
"How is your head doing? Have you been taking your medication?"
"It's OK. I'm getting headaches as another dose is due, but I guess that's normal-"
"And she fell asleep in the bath last night. So maybe they are making her drowsy too?" Alex cut in quickly. Piper glared at her "It's only because I was up and more active yesterday than I've been in a while."
"No, your friend is right to mention that. We can change your meds to something less drowsy, especially if you are wanting to get more independence back and you're comfortable with that. There's a drug that will also last a little longer to stop those headaches between doses as well so I'll switch you on to that today…..How are you feeling about the attack though Ms Chapman? I can treat your physical symptoms, but have you considered counselling yet? That was a very traumatic attack you endured and the mental effects are not always apparent straight away. It can help to talk about it with someone. Maybe your friend here if you don't want to see a professional just yet?"
Piper was quick to dismiss the idea in front of Alex. "I'm fine, really. I have a meeting with someone from the Victim Support Unit coming up. I emailed them yesterday to arrange an appointment for them to visit me at home, so I'm sure they will help. Thanks for the suggestion though."
"OK. Let me sort out this prescription for you and we'll get you some new tablets to take away. Start those today and I want the home care to continue for the moment, until we see further improvement. Come and see me again after Christmas and we can see about signing you off. Have a Merry Christmas Ms Chapman and you Alex." He smiled warmly and shook their hands as he gave them the tablets and bid them goodbye.
Alex helped her back to the car and the pair didn't speak for a while. As they drove out of the car park, Alex asked if she fancied getting some lunch at a little café that was on their way back. Excited at the prospect of seeing other people and doing something normal, she grinned and accepted the offer gladly. They parked up and sat in a booth by the window, looking through the little menus. They ordered coffees and a couple of salads from the waitress and put the menus away.
"Pipes, if you want to talk and tell me what happened that night, you can you know? Have you actually spoken to anyone about what happened?" Alex knew it would be a touchy subject, but felt it needed to be brought up.
"I spoke to the police about it, so it's all in my statement." She tried to look Alex in the eyes as she spoke, but looked down as she finished the sentence.
"It's not the same, giving a statement and talking to someone about what happened. It's not about listing facts and descriptions, it's about telling someone what you need to tell them. What YOU need to tell them. Do you remember what happened?"
"Yes, I remember. I remember almost everything, until I blacked out anyway…."
Their coffees arrived and they sat quietly until the waitress left them.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?"
"Not really. "
"Would you rather speak to Polly?"
"I would rather enjoy a rare taste of freedom and this delicious coffee without remembering what that sick bastard did to me for one fucking hour Alex. Don't you think I relive that night over in my head every day, every night when I'm trying to sleep? Thinking if I could have done things differently, could I have prevented all of this?" Piper looked at Alex, unwavering as she spoke. Her voice was breaking a little and Alex was conscious that pushing her would not be a good idea right now. Making Piper feel worse by crying in the café wasn't the best way to deal with this. So she accepted it.
"Alright. I understand that. I'm sorry for bringing it up." She reached across and took Piper's hands in hers. "I'm sorry OK? I didn't mean to upset you. I just want you to know that I'm here for you if you do want to talk about it. I think you need to talk about it, but maybe you're not ready yet. I won't push you. I'm sorry." Alex squeezed Piper's hands again before letting go as their salads arrived.
They got back into the car after lunch and were headed towards the apartment when Alex took a different turn at the lights. Piper looked at her and was about to tell her she was going the wrong way when Alex cut her off.
"We just need to make a quick stop before heading back OK? We won't be long, but you'll need to keep your coat and hat on." She weaved through a couple of turns, before pulling up in a corner lot.
Alex got out and came around to help Piper out, who was peering out of the window to see where they had stopped, before her mouth fell open and her eyes went wide.
"Are we getting a Christmas tree?!"
"Yep, I can't have you forgetting your favourite holiday of the year. So we'd better get a big green reminder for your lounge I think. Are you gonna come and choose one or sit there with your mouth open?" Alex laughed and held her arm out.
Piper walked around the lot with her eyes sparking and Alex couldn't hide her own smile as she saw how happy Piper was to be looking for a tree. They hadn't ever done this when they were together as they were either living separately when they first got together or they were travelling and weren't in one place long enough for a tree. She felt a pang of regret that she hadn't been able to do this with Piper before and now they were doing it, they weren't even a couple.
They chose a bushy green Norwegian Spruce, about 5 ft tall and had the guy at the cash desk wrap it and put it on the Audi's roof. "Do we need fairly lights and decorations for this or do you have those at home?"
"Already got them, just needed the tree!" Piper beamed as they paid the guy for lashing the tree on the roof. Alex chucked and went to open the door for Piper to get into the car. Piper touched her arm and stopped her, making Alex look up and wonder what was wrong.
"Thank you Alex. I wasn't sure how it could work with us after all this time. I was afraid we'd end up fighting and hurting each other and I didn't want to need to rely on you when I came out of hospital. You've been so good to me and I really appreciate what you've been doing to help me and Polly at the store too….So, thanks." She leaned in and kissed Alex on the cheek softly before pulling back, her arms still holding onto Alex.
The feeling of Piper's lips on her cheek sent a charge through Alex and she could feel the skin tingle where they had been, aching for the touch to last a little longer. She could see the heat of Piper's breath in the air between them and it was like she wanted to breath in the air that Piper was exhaling. Alex reached up to Piper's face and moved her thumb across her cheek slowly. "You're welcome Pipes." Alex smiled and forced herself to break the contact and open the car door before she pushed things, gesturing Piper to climb in. She closed the door and turned to walk to the driver's side, stopping briefly to close her eyes and calm her beating heart to compose herself for the ride home.