A/N:

Trigger Warning: Explicit use of drugs.

You'd probably hate me for this chapter, I don't know. But I heart you. And I'm sorry that it isn't as long as the last two chapters but I felt that I needed to end it with how I ended it, so I can explore about it more thoroughly on the next chapter. Whatever, haha. So enjoy, more angst. (*wink wink*)

Anyway, I still don't own anything.

13

"Are you looking for this?"

Alex almost jumped up at the sound of Piper's voice behind her and she had to collect herself before she could slowly turn around, hoping that Piper wasn't holding what she was looking for. But as if the only luck associated with her today was the bad one, she felt as if cold water was poured all over her as she looked at her girlfriend holding up the very thing Alex was looking for.

"P-Pipes..." If Alex's heart had the ability to get out of her chest, it would probably be on the floor right now, crushed into pieces, not only for being caught, but also because of the look Piper was giving her right now. It was heartbreaking to see Piper looking at her as if she'd been betrayed, like she couldn't believe Alex did this to her.

"Since when?" Piper asked, her voice dangerously calm. But it wasn't the kind of calmness that could reassure Alex that she was gonna get out of this easily. It was something that made her heart race, preparing her for more shit to come.

"I..." Alex wished there was anything she could do, or even at least just say right now but she knew there was nothing that could make the situation better. So she just shook her head dejectedly, as she wiped the sweat that was forming fast on her forehead.

"Since when, Alex?" Piper asked again, a lot more sharply, her face terrifyingly blank of emotions. She was trying so hard to breathe but it felt as if she was losing the ability to do so. She waited for Alex to answer while she fought so damn hard not to look away, because looking at Alex like this was a thousand times worse than when she found out her mother had passed away. But she had to look her in the eye because she needed to know the truth.

Tears had dropped from Alex's eyes and she harshly wiped them away because she had no right to feel this right now. She was doing this to Piper. She was the one doing the hurting. She deserved that look from her."Over a month," Alex answered, her voice so soft, guilt shooting through her.

Piper inhaled sharply, just realizing that this was worse than she hoped it would be. She wanted to run towards Alex, and wrap her in her arms, and also be the one to tell her that everything was going to be okay, just like Alex had been telling her these past few days. But she couldn't bring herself to move, the weight of the drugs in her hands weighing her down so bad she could feel every inch of her being hurt."Are you having nightmares again?"

Alex looked away, finally losing the strength to look Piper in the eye, before she looked down on her feet as she nodded. "Yes."

Piper bit her cheek and then slowly shook her head. "And you chose to resort to this instead of telling me." Piper was also crying now, feeling so helpless. She wanted to be there for Alex. She needed to be the one who was gonna be there for her when she needed her. But Alex kept isolating herself from her, wanting to deal with everything going on with her alone and it hurt Piper because she felt so useless, feeling as if Alex did not trust her enough for this.

"Pipes, it's not like that—" Alex was panicking now, feeling Piper slowly slip away from her. It wasn't supposed to go this way. She didn't plan to fuck up this bad again. She took one step forward but Piper took one step back and it crushed Alex because this was the first time that Piper voluntarily walked away from her.

When Piper spoke again, her voice was filled with so much pain and she had to swallow hard as if it was the only thing she could do to hold on to the thread that was barely keeping her together. "When are you ever going to need me, too?"

Piper could see that Alex was falling apart. And she was falling apart right in front of her but Piper could feel herself slowly losing to this fight. So she stepped backwards one by one, feeling the whole damn place close in on her, in a speed she felt she couldn't outrun. She had to get out of here. Not because she wanted to leave Alex. Not because she didn't want to be there for her. But because she was quickly breaking apart, too, and she couldn't let Alex see that. She then turned around, wanting to run away from there as fast as she could but Alex's pleading voice froze her to the spot.

"Pipes..."

Alex's voice was shaking and Piper shut her eyes so tightly hoping that it would stop the tears that were shooting from her eyes. So she turned around once again, giving Alex another look, and she felt her knees almost give up on her because this was the worst she's ever seen Alex.

"Please..." Alex said, stopping herself before she could entirely voice out what she really wanted to say. "Please don't leave me," Alex said internally, her chest agonizingly painful. But Piper was still backing away, her eyes filled with tears as she shook her head and repeatedly whispered how sorry she was. And before Alex could even move, Piper was out of her sight, and probably out of her life for good.

-o-o-o-

Piper reached her apartment still holding Alex's stash. When she realized this, rage took over her causing her to throw it as far from her as possible. She was shaking. She could still picture the look on Alex's face while she was walking away and she hated herself for it but once she took that step backwards, she couldn't stop herself anymore.

Before she even knew it, Piper was throwing everything she could get a hold of while she screamed, every emotion she had bottled up for the past days coming at her with such strong force. She took the books scattered on one of her tables and threw them down on the floor, the frames lying around, everything. She was lashing out at everything hoping that somehow it would make her feel better, that it could help her get her shit together.

This wasn't just about Alex anymore. It was everything that had been happening to her ever since she had known how to understand everything in this fucked up excuse for a life that she had. Was she a bad person? Had she really been that terrible that she couldn't even have something good in her life without it being taken away from her after a while?

Piper cried. And she threw things. And she screamed. Because everything just hurt too much. The pain in her chest attacking her like some plague she couldn't avoid. But suddenly she felt arms wrap around her, trying to calm her as she held her hands from grabbing something else she could throw.

"Piper, hey! What the fuck, Piper, calm down," Nicky's voice was worried but gentle, as she enveloped Piper's in her arms.

Piper kept crying as she tried to pry Nicky's arms away from her. But then she's suddenly lost all the will to fight and slowly collapsed on the floor, Nicky slumping down with her.

"Sssshhhh..." Nicky whispered, her left arm wrapped around Piper as her right hand rubbed her back up and down. "It's okay," she added as Piper's sobs filled the room, her head bowed as her shoulders shook from the sobs that escaped her lips. "It's okay," she said again, as if it was gonna make Piper believe it the second time around.

"Nicky..." Piper whispered, "I am so scared," she said, remembering how broken Alex looked today, how different she had seemed from the first time they met. "Please tell me she's going to be all right," she added, because it's all that she had. She just needed someone to tell her that things would eventually get better because Alex, Alex, could not do that for her right now.

At that point, Nicky knew what, who, Piper was talking about. She didn't know what happened but she had a pretty good idea and she was suddenly thankful that she followed her gut about going to Piper's apartment before the blonde could hurt herself. Looking at Piper right now, she could see how messed up she was. She didn't even want to imagine how Alex was at this moment.

And what was bothering her was the reason why Piper was this way. It wasn't because of her own fucked up problems. It was because of Alex. Just like how Alex was letting herself get ruined for the sake of Piper. Nicky knew how much they loved each other. It wouldn't take a genius to see that, and to know just how much. It was supposed to be a good thing. They both needed each other and having one another was the best thing that's happened to them in a long time. But they were allowing themselves to get hurt for the sake of the other and somehow it was becoming a little unhealthy for both of them.

"She's going to be fine, Piper. Alex is a survivor, we both know that. She's gonna get through this. You're both going to get through this." Piper just continued crying and a terrifying thought suddenly crossed Nicky's mind. "Piper... did you... did you break up with Alex?" she asked, feeling her heart hammer against her chest. If Piper broke up with Alex, it would be the last straw for her best friend and she was more than a hundred percent sure that it was going to be her undoing. It was gonna destroy her. And she wasn't sure if she could come back from that.

"No," Piper shook her head adamantly, wanting to express that it was going to be the last thing she would do. "No, I can never do that, Nicky. I'm gonna have to die before I leave Alex."

And it was just the confirmation that Nicky needed about to what extent Piper and Alex were gonna go for each other. Piper would die before she'd leave Alex. And she was pretty damn sure that if death was the only way Alex could be with Piper, she would take that with fucking open arms. She didn't know what it was but that thought suddenly made her shiver, and not in a good way, like this was all just too much.

"But I had to get out of there because I didn't know what to do," Piper continued. "I don't know what to do, Nicky." Piper rubbed her hands all over her face looking more distraught than Nicky had ever seen her. "Oh my God," she suddenly said, panic rising in her chest. "Do you think that's what she's thinking? Do you think she thinks I've left her?" she faced Nicky, just realizing the consequences of her actions. What if Alex did something stupid? "I have to go back." She was hurriedly standing up, almost losing balance. "I have to tell her I'm not leaving." She was about to walk towards the door but Nicky stopped her.

"Hey, Piper," Nicky grabbed Piper's arm tightly, not wanting to let go of her. "Hey, listen to me. You need to get some rest."

"I'm fine." Piper took Nicky's hand off of her as she took a step backward.

"No, you're not!" Nicky exclaimed, somehow feeling irritated at how stubborn Alex and Piper were when it came to each other. "Look, I'll go see Alex, okay? I'll tell her that you're fine, that you just need time to pull yourself together."

"But she needs me."

"Do you think seeing you this way is what she needs right now? You have got to get your shit together. And she fucking needs to do the same. Please Piper... just... you can talk when you're both at least a little better. I promise you, I'll make sure she's okay."

-o-o-o-

It was already night time when Piper woke up from her surprisingly deep sleep this afternoon. As she opened her eyes, she blinked rapidly to get accustomed to the feeling of her swollen eyes caused by her nonstop sobbing when Nicky left, with her promise that she was going to keep Alex company until she could finally see her.

Being a whole lot calmer than she was a few hours ago, Piper willed herself to think of everything that was going on. She thought of her mother's death, and the nagging feeling inside her that there was something she needed to do about that. It had been a while but every time she remembered that she was gone, she still couldn't stop the tightening of her chest and her irritation at the fact that she couldn't. Her mother's death was pulling such a powerful emotion from her which she didn't understand why because she wasn't supposed to care anymore.

But then she looked around her room and her eyes landed on Alex's stash, something she couldn't make herself get rid of no matter how hard she convinced herself that she should, and her thoughts immediately snapped back to Alex and what she should do so Alex could finally trust her enough to let her know what was going on with her. It was hard seeing Alex that way and she made it a point to do whatever it was that needed to be done just so she wouldn't lose her to the darkness that was, again, pulling at the woman she loved the most in her life.

She then remembered the look that Alex had when she silently begged her not to go and before she even realized it, Piper was scrambling to be on her feet, wanting to reach Alex's house as soon as she could, coming into an agreement with herself that she would do whatever the hell it would take for Alex, even if it meant she would lose herself in the process.

-o-o-o-

Piper entered Alex's house quietly, her eyes searching the whole place for her girlfriend. When she couldn't find her anywhere else in the living room and kitchen, she couldn't stop the hammering of her heart against her chest that had only been getting stronger by the minute. When she called Nicky to let her know that she was coming over, she profusely apologized as she let her know that Alex had kicked her out of her house as soon as she got there and she wasn't able to do anything about it. Piper was instantly worried, hoping and praying that Alex didn't leave the house. She was fastly moving now, making her way inside Alex's room.

Piper then breathed out a sigh of relief as she saw Alex on the floor, sitting with her back against the side of her bed. The room was dark and Piper could barely see anything but she kept walking anyway, unsure if Alex had noticed her presence, until she was sitting beside her. She then buried her head at the crook of Alex's neck, as she raised her left arm to cup her girlfriend's face. "Baby," she whispered, all kinds of emotions rushing through her sensing Alex tense at her touch.

Taking her by surprise, Piper suddenly felt Alex's shoulder shake, sobs racking her girlfriend's body. "Hey," Piper said, pain evident in her voice as she settled herself on Alex's lap, both her knees beside each of Alex's legs, effectively straddling her. "Al..." she was now cupping Alex's face with both her palms as she pressed their foreheads together. Piper's eyes had become misty, too, feeling Alex's pain in every inch of her body. "I'm here, Al. I'm right here," Piper's voice cracked, and she hated herself for it because seeing Alex lose it in front of her took away all her ability to be the strong one for both of them right now.

As tears streamed on her face, Alex finally allowed herself to snake her arms around Piper's waist, pulling her impossibly closer to her as if reassuring herself that she was indeed here. Piper came back. She didn't leave her. "I'm sorry," Alex whispered in between sobs, "I'm so fucking sorry, Piper." Alex was now crying on Piper's shoulder, her arms still tightly wounded around Piper, afraid that if she let go, she would lose her again.

"Sssshhhh..." Piper gently lifted Alex's head so she could look her in the eye, even though there really wasn't much to see because it was still so dark, a perfect visual for Piper and Alex's whole existence right now. Piper didn't think that pain this strong existed but Alex breaking down was tearing her into pieces. "It's okay now. We're okay. We're going to be okay," she repeatedly assured Alex before bringing their lips together, pouring everything she felt for Alex onto that kiss, wanting to let her know just how much she loved her. "I love you," Piper whispered as she kept pressing kisses on Alex's face, wiping the tears that shot from her girlfriend's eyes. "I love you so fucking much. It's okay."

And Piper wrapped her arms around Alex once again, relieved that despite how broken they were at the moment, they still fit together and it still felt right to be in each other's arms.

-o-o-o-

When Alex had finally calmed a little, Piper insisted that she get some sleep. At first, Alex was reluctant, obviously still afraid that Piper would've left by the time she woke up but Piper had assured her that she was staying with her and that she wasn't going anywhere. Probably too exhausted to still resist, Alex finally fell asleep after a while, Piper staying beside her as she watched her sleep.

The moment Piper realized that she was unintentionally blocking people from coming close to her, emotionally or even just physically, she thought that there would never come a time in her life where she'd fall crazily and utterly in love with another person. But looking at Alex peacefully sleeping right now, she softly laughed at herself because how fucking wrong was she?

She was in-love with Alex, crazily and irrevocably so, and she loved her in ways she never thought was even possible for her, or for anyone for that matter. If someone would look at them right now, that person would probably think how hard it was to be in this kind of relationship. But to Piper, it wasn't. Loving Alex was the easiest thing she's ever had to do her entire life and it may not seem like that all the time, but she knew that she wouldn't ever trade this for anything.

Everything was a mess. It was all crazy.

But being with Alex was the only thing Piper felt was right in her life.

And so if she had to do something wrong just to be able to keep that, then fuck all logic that there was in this world, because wrong was what she was gonna do to keep the only right that was left for her to have.

-o-o-o-

When Alex woke up, her arm immediately reached out to the other side of the bed, wanting to make sure that Piper was still there. But her heart sank when she realized that she was alone, and she immediately got out of bed, wanting to make sure that Piper was just outside her room, and that she didn't break her promise about not going anywhere. When she reached her living room, she felt herself relax when she saw Piper just sitting on her couch, her eyes focused on something.

"Pipes?"

As soon as she heard her voice, Piper's eyes instantly went to Alex's, but not too long before she looked back at whatever she was staring at, at the table in front of her. And just like that, Alex followed the trail of Piper's eyes and she felt her heart race at the sight. At first, she was terrified about why Piper must be looking at that. But that thought was instantaneously replaced by the itch that she had just forgotten because of Piper finding out about her using. She suddenly craved for it again, and she felt it pull at her like a magnet she wouldn't even dare to fight.

"Wh-why is that..." Alex found it hard to form a coherent sentence because her mind was suddenly fuzzing, the sight of the heroin stopping her brain from functioning properly, or at all. "Wh-what are you doing?"

"I want it, too."

"What?!" the question snapped Alex back into reality as soon as she heard it, and now her heart was racing for a totally different reason. "Why would you... Piper, no."

"Why not?"

"Y-you can't."

"Give me a reason why I can't. Something I can't throw right back at you."

Alex cursed herself internally, not being able to come up with a reason, not because she couldn't think of one, but because it would be so hypocrite of her to tell Piper not to do it when she herself did. She frantically ran her fingers over her hair as she took a deep breath. "Piper, I've done this before. I know how to control it," Alex said weakly.

"You know how to control it? Alex, you are having a fucking withdrawal," Piper said sharply as she took on Alex's look for the first time since this afternoon. Her eyes and nose were runny, she was starting to again sweat profusely and she could see her massaging every part of her body as if trying to give herself relief from pain. "Alex, I need this, too."

Piper didn't want to admit it to herself but she couldn't do this alone. She couldn't deal with what Alex was going through and deal with her own shit at the same time. She needed something and if Alex thought this could help her, maybe she needed to believe her right now because Piper did not know what else to do.

Alex's internal struggle was sucking the energy out of her. On one hand she didn't want this for Piper. She was so much better than this. But on the other hand, she was aching to feel the drugs flow through her blood again. She needed the sense of calm that it gave her. She needed to feel better. But now she realized that the only way Piper would let her do that was if she let her, too.

So as much as Alex knew she was gonna hate herself for doing this, she slowly walked towards the couch and sat beside Piper. She looked at her intently, silently hoping that she'd change her mind, because Alex did not have enough strength to resist this right now. But Piper just stared back, extreme determination in her eyes. "I trust you. I know you won't let anything happen to me."

And Alex had to let out the breath she'd been holding, knowing full well that there was no turning back from this.

With her hands shaking slightly, Alex grabbed Piper's arm and wrapped the non-latex tourniquet around the part she was intending to inject the heroin, thoroughly cleaning it with the alcohol swab. She then took the plastic spoon and cleaned it before pouring a small amount of heroin in it. Afterwards, she took the syringe and squirted enough water onto the spoon, heating it with lighter to dissolve the drugs even better. Alex could feel her heart beat rapidly, her reluctance in injecting Piper with it gone as what was only left was her anticipation of shooting herself with it.

After a short while, with everything ready, Alex took the syringe and placed the needle right on Piper's veins. But before she let that thing totally change Piper's life, she looked at her once more, as if asking for permission, a quiet question of whether she was really sure about it. When she got a slow nod from Piper as a response, she slowly injected Piper with the heroin, her eyes watching it flow from the syringe towards Piper's bloodstream.

And as Piper felt the drugs flow through her blood, she shut her eyes tightly, letting Alex take control of everything, letting the drugs do for her what she couldn't do for herself, with the ignored reality that whatever this was, it was only waiting to break both of them to pieces that no one could ever bring them back to being whole again.

-o-o-o-

SHOUTOUT:

Vausemaniac, I didn't notice that you've already left a review for chapter 11 before I posted the previous chapter so I'm only thanking you for that now. Haha. Anyway, as for your chapter 12 review, all in the right time, babe. I'll just surprise you when everything is rainbows and butterflies again. Haha. And I totally agree about Nicky! I wish she was in season 3 to knock sense in Piper and be there for Alex. I love her friendship with both of them (in the series and in here, too) I'm glad you liked the "be my little spoon' scene. You're welcome and thank you for a wonderful review!

HubcapsAndAshtrays, You did make sense! And thank you, that review was way too deep. Haha. Hope you like this one as well. =)

Skye9598, Yeah, we all need an Alex Vause in our life, don't we? (probably not my version of Alex right now, though haha) I hope you keep your sanity in check, I don't wanna be held responsible for that haha, just kidding! And gosh, thank you that you consider this one of your favourites, it means a lot to me =)

elliellie1, Cliff hangers give me life! Hahaha. Sorry for that, by the way. I'm glad you loved the previous chapter, thank you very much! =)

Budda1127, Aw, you are incredible, too! I'm sorry I broke your heart once again, but thank you for still keeping up with this even if I keep doing that. Haha! Thank you for your review, it was awesome! =)

Guest (who enjoyed the previous chapter), Hopefully, this chapter satisfies you in some way even though I'm guessing it didn't turn out the way you wanted it to be. Haha. Thanks for the review! =)

WB79, They definitely need each other but I think they're now too far gone to still know what's right ow wrong, you think? Haha. Thank you for your review. =)

awkwardlynormal13, Oh no! I wasn't trying to put myself down but still, thank you for the reassurance! It was really nice of you. =) Your review was wonderful as usual and hopefully you still have some energy left for the roller coaster ride I'm about to take you. Haha. Thank you so much!

FFChik, I totally agree! It's always heartbreaking to lose someone, and given that Piper loved her mom too much, I figured it was only right that she felt her loss powerfully even though she made herself believe that she didn't care anymore. Hm, no, it's definitely not wrong. I think some felt that, too. And it was about time Piper found out, right? Thank you very much. It was a little hard for me to describe Alex's withdrawal but I'm glad you felt that way about it. =)

Guest (another cliffhanger?), Sorry about the cliff hanger! No more cliff hanger this time. Sorry that I couldn't update any sooner. Hope you enjoyed reading!

Phantomjazz, I'm glad you thought that the scene of Alex and Nicky was perfect. It's one of my favourites, haha. And also, thank you for not hating me for the cliff hanger. Sorry that I couldn't update earlier =( but hopefully this chapter had made up for me not updating sooner.

RJVause, About the shout out, you are very welcome! I wish I can do more, though. I'm really grateful for your responses on every chapter. Anyway, don't worry about the updates, I'm trying really hard not to go more than a week without updating. Although I have to apologize because I don't think I can go any faster than that. And wow! I didn't think anyone would recognize the lyrics I put at the start. It's my favourite Sheryl Crow song. Great to know that you're a fan!

guest (piper a badass), Aw, that's cute! Why do you think that anyway? And yes, Piper is indeed a badass. Haha. Thank you!

vausegasm, Hey, girl! Yeah, I figured I had to give at least a little warning, it's the least I can do to ease some of the pain. Haha! Anyway, about your question, no, Nicky did not tell Piper about the drugs. Piper found about it herself coz she had also noticed the difference in Alex. So there, I hope it's cleared. =)) And yes, it's about time Piper found out about Alex's drug use/abuse so I could get the drama going haha. I honestly can feel your struggle and I can't help smiling (not because you're struggling) but because your review is once again, perfect! I don't know how you'd feel about this new chapter but I'm sure you'd let me know, right? Thank you very much! You're fucking awesome!

valevauseman, I think that you're right about Piper being "stronger" right now than Alex in some ways but we never know when the tables would turn, if they would turn. Haha. Thank you as well, and yeah, the "Come be my little spoon" scene is season one is still one of my favourites so I can't help but add it in here. Thanks again, for you review! =)

jo michael, Hi there! Wow, I'm glad that reply made you happy. I'd like to let you know that your reviews make me happy, too. So thank you! It's also a relief knowing you'll stick with this story 'til the end, so another thank you for that. =) Yes, they may deal with a lot of bullshit but one thing that I want clear here is that Piper and Alex really do love each other (a lot, if I may add). And wow, "one of my top writers" that's some amazing compliment right there, thank you very much! I am having an amazing time, hope you are, too. xoxo

izzielg, Haha! More drama it is! Thank you, that was a cute review. =)

ManveerlovesVauseman, Wow, it made me feel good that I was able to make you feel those things, not that I like you feeling pain or anything, haha. But just the fact that my story could affect you that way is so heart warming so thank you! And thank you for letting me know through your reviews!

sara lance, Oh yeah, busted indeed! I'm glad I could surprise you once again. Haha. Hopefully, you're happy that Piper did not leave Alex despite other circumstances. And you can chill for a while coz I think the next chapter is gonna be a breather. That is if the demon doesn't possess me and make me make things worse for them. But for right now, we're good. Haha!

Joey2920, Thank you so much for that review! Here's a new chapter and finally, we've all discovered how Piper was gonna react to Alex's drug problem. =)

piccolover22, Hello! Thank you very much! I love writing emotional scenes and I'm glad you loved them! Your review made me blush as always, and you're very welcome! I love reading good fan fiction, too. And thank you that you think I also write good fan fiction, so thank you as well for that. =)

vausemania, Shit seems to be going to be present in every chapter. Haha. Just kidding. I hope you're satisfied with how I showed Alex and Piper's reactions. And also, hopefully you're happy that Piper did not leave Alex. Although that doesn't seem to be totally great news right now. =) Thank you!

schillingarmy, Wow, you're probably one of the few people who didn't have a problem with the cliff hanger, so thank you! Haha. I'm sorry though that things just got a little bit more messier between those two but bare with me. All good things come to those who wait. Thank you and have an awesome day as well =))

moanzs, Busted indeed! Yeah, Nicky has indeed been put in a very difficult position but she's not going anywhere! She's still going to be part of Alex and Piper's 'journey' towards wherever they're going. =) Hm, with the two ways you thought on where this was gonna go, I think they're both right in some ways? Haha. You're good! Only with few little changes and addition you almost got it right. =)) And as always, thank you for an amazing review. Much love from me to you! =)

SheriLovey, Aww, I'm glad that you're not disappointed! And thank you for trusting me with how I want deal with this story and where I want to take it. Sorry again for that cliff hanger, but no more this time. Haha! Thank you! =)

pitterpat87, Thank you! I was actually apologizing about the cliff hanger haha, but here's the new chapter now and I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long. Hm, well now you know how Piper decided to go about this 'drug problem' with Alex and it'd be cool to know what you think. =) Thank you for a very detailed review and hope you like this one, too!

orange621, It's about time she found out what was going on about Alex, yeah? =) Yeah, so from now on, you should expect a little cliff hanger every now and then. Haha. Thank you for leaving another review! Hope you like this new one. =)

Marijn, Hey, girl! It's been a long time. I was starting to wonder where you were. =) Anyway, I'm glad you're back as I've missed you. Thank you for still leaving reviews on every chapter that you missed while you were not around. And I'm so sorry for that cliff hanger but here's the new chapter now and no cliff hanger this time! Yeah, I had to use the title some time haha. Thank you for those very detailed and wonderful reviews, it's one of the things I missed about you. Hugs and kisses and love for you as well. Have a great time as always! xo

huggerguest, Yes, I tried to put in a little 'sweetness' in here because you're all probably gonna kill me if everything is too angsty. Haha. Although I know that there was still more angst and hopefully it wasn't too much. Too much damage indeed! I think that's what happens to two damaged people. =) You're amazing, thank you for that review! And about your question, I'm not sure how to answer that yet but I'll let everyone know if we're nearing the end. =)

Marauder-Lu, Hey, here's the new chapter. Alex is really in serious trouble, and I think you will agree that so is Piper now. Haha. I'm glad you liked the spooning part even though it was a little dramatic. Thank you!

The Fortunate Paper-knife, So I know it's gonna take you ten more chapters before you can read this (hopefully, you will) but I want to thank you for that wonderful review you left for Chapter 2! I'm always glad to meet new readers. Again, thanks! =)