A/N:

So, the response to the last chapter was really overwhelming, and I wanted to post a chapter as soon as I could (as a thank you) but I also have other responsibilities I needed to fulfil so forgive me for the delay. =( This is basically just a filler chapter, and kind of a "break" from too much angst. Not saying that it's all fluffy and mush, but it's definitely a lot less angst-y than the previous chapter.

I'm trying to avoid long author's notes, but a number of people expressed how "depressing" the last chapter was and that they were done with the story and would no longer read it. As much as that made me sad, I truly understand. I just want to apologize if the last chapter had disturbed anyone in any way, I really did not mean it. The fact that Piper took the drugs, too, is really vital for the message that I'd want this story to relay, once it's all over and done and hopefully I'm not doing it wrong, but I swear the angst is not just for the sake of having angst. It really is important to the story.

Anyway, to those who are still sticking to this story despite it becoming "too dark" thank you very much, and I appreciate it a lot. You guys are wonderful. I just have to warn you that things aren't going to be rainbows and butterflies anytime soon but the "drugs" plot I think is almost coming to its end. When or how, I really can't tell you coz that would just be ruining the fun, right? Haha. And if you have anything you want to tell me, just feel free to drop a message on my inbox.

Again, I don't own anything.

14

"...just remember that we've all been broken once... so let's love the broken ones."

-o-o-o-

Alex and Piper were once again at the lake, deciding to spend some time there after an exhausting day for Piper who had to work two shifts at Red's Diner the day before. They were snuggled together wrapped in a thick blanket, while they watched the flickering of the light coming from the bonfire Piper had made, a 'lesson' Alex had taught her that night.

"I can't believe that there actually was a time in my life where I thought I would be better off alone," Alex said, while she played with Piper's fingers that were attached to her own.

Piper, who was sitting between Alex's legs, her back pressed against her girlfriend's front, smiled at this. "Yeah? Why? You don't think that now?" Piper could feel Alex shake her head, and hummed a soft agreement to her question. "Why's that?"

"Because I'm with you," Alex answered, as if it was the easiest thing to say. "And being with you is the best thing that's ever happened to me my entire life."

Piper's smile widened as she turned her head around to look at Alex. "Who are you and what have you done to my girlfriend?" Alex just smiled back at her before pressing her lips at the top of her head. "I didn't know you could be so mushy."

"Seriously? I do the one thing you know I hate doing, because I love you and I wanna let you know how I feel, and you bust my balls for it?" Alex asked, faking a pained expression on her face.

Piper let out a soft chuckle that was music to Alex's ears. "First of all, you don't have balls."

"That really sounds like an insult, Pipes."

"I mean literally! I've been there, I didn't see anything."

"Are we seriously going to talk about balls?"

Piper laughter could be heard all over the place and Alex laughed along with her, their laughter joined together making both their hearts melt, and their chests tighten in an adorable kind of way. "You started it. Will you just let me finish now?"

"Fine, go on," Alex answered, looking intently at her girlfriend, feeling her deep love and affection for the blonde rush through her.

"And secondly, I love you so much for saying that and I love it when you get all mushy on me." Alex was again just about to protest but Piper put her finger on her lips. "Na-uh. Shut up." Alex bit her finger in retaliation, causing Piper to slap her lightly on her arm. "Hey!"

Alex just laughed at her before bringing Piper's finger to her mouth once again, but this time to pepper it with soft kisses. "You were saying?"

"Hm. What I said. And also, being with you is the best thing that's ever happened to me, too. I'm never been this happy my entire life," Piper said, sincerity in her tone.

Alex then smiled at her, her overflowing love for Piper making it hard for her to breathe. But in a terrifyingly good way. She slowly leaned towards Piper so she could kiss her and Alex swore, she could stay like this forever, in Piper's arms and warmth. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Do you remember that first day we went out? When I told you I was taking you far away from our place?"

"Yeah, I'm still waiting for that by the way."

"Sorry," Alex said, pressing her forehead against the top of Piper's head, her tone apologetic. "I've been thinking about that, I was just waiting for the right time."

"I was kidding," Piper said, bringing Alex's hand on her lips, kissing it gently. "I don't care if we'll just stay in your room forever. I don't mind. As long as I'm with you."

"Who's being mushy now?"

"I don't care."

They were silent for a while before Alex decided to break it. "I meant that, though. I'm taking you away from here, Piper. Away from everyone who has only ever tried to hurt you. One day."

-o-o-o-

The first time Alex came down from her high after Piper had used, too, was one of the worst times of her life. When she woke up, she was lying on the floor, naked from the waist down, limbs tangled with those of her girlfriend's, who, unlike her, was completely unclothed. It didn't register with her at first. She didn't really realize what was going on until she looked around them and saw everything.

Scattered all over the floor were her and Piper's clothes. There were even ties lying around, something she didn't even remember using last night. There were also numerous bottles of different kinds of alcohol, answering Alex's question about why her head was throbbing so badly. But what made her stomach churn was everything they used to inject themselves with the heroin (which was also visible to Alex's eyes right now.) She stared wide-eyed, unable to process what to feel.

She then looked at her girlfriend, still sleeping beside her, oblivious to every dangerous thought running through Alex's head. She shouldn't have done this to her. Piper told her that she trusted her but she betrayed that trust. With what she just did, being the person who had injected the drugs to flow freely through Piper's blood, she instantly felt disgusted with herself.

Suddenly, Alex felt sick to her stomach and before she even realized it, she was running towards the sink, vomiting the contents of her stomach unpleasantly, terribly wishing that she could turn back time, that she could take it all back. But everything had happened and she knew that the only way she could make up for it was if she chose to stop it herself.

Slowly, Alex made her way towards Piper as she put her shirt back on and slumped down beside her, as she again watched her sleep, paying close attention to the rising and falling of her chest as she breathed. At that moment, all that Alex wanted to do was to scoop Piper in her arms and give her a bone-crushing hug with a desperate hope that it was the only thing she had to do to make it all better. But lately, everything that Alex seemed to be doing was making it worse for everyone, especially for Piper.

And as if she'd been burned, Alex gradually pulled herself away from Piper, close enough to still be able to see her, but far enough to give her a little assurance that with this distance, she wouldn't be able to hurt her again in any way. Alex stayed like that for a while, her arms hugging her knees that were tucked under her chin, while she bit on her fingers, trying to steady her breathing, to regain even just a little composure, just so she could think clearly, something she'd obviously been failing to do for the last number of days.

She kept her eyes on Piper, wondering how she would feel when she woke up. Would she hate Alex for what she's done to her? Would she blame her for what's happened? Alex felt her chest tighten at the thought of Piper hating her because of this, but before she could think about it any further, Piper stirred and stretched her arm as she grasped at her side, as if she was searching for something.

"Al?" Piper rubbed her eyes before she opened her eyes, obviously still getting acquainted with the fact that she was already up. "Alex?" she whispered again and her eyes were now frantically searching everywhere.

As soon as Alex saw Piper open her eyes, she quickly scrambled towards her, almost crawling towards her like a child. She could see panic appear on Piper's eyes for not immediately seeing her presence and Alex felt an uncomfortable knot in her stomach when she noticed how relieved Piper was when she saw her.

"Hey," Piper slowly got up on her knees, wrapping the blanket around her as she drew herself close to Alex. She then smiled at her, and it was so beautiful that Alex couldn't help but cup Piper's face and kiss her hard, not enough to hurt her but only the right amount to let her know just how much she loved her. That no matter how much she would fuck up, that was one of the things that she would never be not certain of, one of those things that would never change.

"Baby, are you okay?" Alex asked as her voice cracked, panic slowly rising in her chest because what if she'd hurt her because of what happened last night. "Are you hurt?" she asked again, her hands sliding down towards Piper's neck, down to her arms. "Please tell me," Alex begged, not being able to stop the tears that were slowly forming in her eyes at the thought of Piper being hurt because of her.

"Hey, hey," Piper said, evidently confused at Alex's reaction, mimicking Alex's reaction when she cupped her girlfriend's face with both hands. "I'm okay, Al. I'm not hurt." Piper brushed a few strands of hair that were sticking to Alex's face, as she looked her in the eye, silently asking her what was wrong.

"I'm sorry," Alex suddenly blurted out before she pulled Piper towards her and wrapped her arms around her tightly. "I'm so sorry, Pipes."

"What? Why?" Piper asked worriedly, as she rubbed Alex's back.

Alex pulled away, shaking her head. "You shouldn't... I shouldn't have..." She tried voicing it out, telling Piper what she was really sorry about, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She started feeling sick again, when she remembered, feeling as if she was gonna throw up once more. So she swallowed hard, because this was not the right time for that.

But Piper pulled her back, ignoring the blanket wrapped around her as it fell on the floor. "Look at me." But Alex looked away, her eyes wet with tears. "Hey, come on, Al," she then guided her girlfriend's face towards her, "I'm okay. I promise. I haven't...I haven't felt better than I had last night."

And Piper meant it. Before the drugs could even take its effect on her, she was having doubts on whether she would feel terrible the moment it would wear off. But right now, all she could think about was how it had made her feel better, how she finally understood why Alex resorted to it, and how she didn't regret a single thing.

She looked at Alex intently, wanting her to believe what she just said. She knew Alex's tendencies of blaming herself about things she wasn't even at fault of. And right now, that was the last thing Piper wanted her to think. All she wanted was to feel Alex again, just like last night, when she made her feel like she was the only person in the world who mattered... like the only thing she wanted to do was to make her feel just how much she loved her. And Piper wanted that now. Again.

"Stop thinking about anything else, Al. Right now, nothing else matters because we're here. Just you and me." She again kissed Alex, starting off slow until they were both starting to become breathless because of the intensity of that kiss. Piper then pulled away, enough to be able to look Alex right in those beautiful emerald green eyes. "I want you, Alex. I want you, right now."

Slowly, Piper settled both her hands on Alex's stomach, bringing them upwards until she was cupping her breasts. She could see the way Alex's eyes darkened with passion as soon as she touched her naked flesh, inhaling sharply as Piper gently tweaked and tugged at her nipples.

Alex on the other hand, feeling the heat erupt inside her, pulled Piper closer as she brought their lips together again with so much heat and longing, as if they'd been apart for so long, earning her a soft moan from Piper as she slipped her tongue inside her mouth.

And right there and then, as Alex got lost in Piper's touch, her soft lips and warm touch against her skin, Alex forgot. She forgot that she was supposed to be worried. She forgot that she was supposed to be hating herself right now. She forgot that she just did to Piper something she could never undo no matter how much she tried.

And as Piper made her come, again and again and again, Alex forgot just a little bit more.

-o-o-o-

Alex tried. She really fucking did.

But maybe life wasn't really supposed to happen to Alex the way she wanted it to. Because without ever really admitting it to herself, she's truly lost control over her need to use drugs. And it would have probably been okay if Piper wasn't involved. But every time Piper asked for it and Alex refused, Piper would just tell her that she'd just do it herself. And just to make sure that Piper didn't hurt herself even more (or that's just what she needed to think to feel less guilty), Alex would eventually cave and inject her with the damn drugs again.

So the next time Piper asked for it again, the next time she wanted to experience the high another time, Alex would once again lose control and decide to give in. And it happened another time, and another time, and another time, until everything had become a usual occurrence, like it was the most normal thing for them, being high and wasted all the time, becoming oblivious to everyone and everything around them except each other's presence.

-o-o-o-

Piper was almost two hours late when she got to Red's. If this was a couple of weeks ago, she would have been dreading to face Red, and trying to come up with a number of reasons to tell her why she's late. But today is not a couple of weeks ago and today Piper just didn't give a single fuck anymore.

She was about to go inside the storage room when Red surprisingly block her way and gave her a glare she's never been at the end of before. "You're late. Again." Red stressed the last word as if Piper didn't even know about it. "What's your reason this time?"

"I slept in," Piper said nonchalantly. "Sorry," she added, not even trying to sound as if she meant it. She looked around her, looking mighty bored about this conversation.

And it pissed Red even more. "You slept in? That why your eyes are bloodshot red and your bags are screaming as if you've never had a proper sleep in god knows how long?"

Piper breathed deeply, trying to control the anger that was slowly bubbling up inside her. "What do you want me to say, Red? 'Sorry, I won't do it again.'? Or do you want me to take another unpaid shift?"

"Chapman, you listen to me," Red started, and it was obvious how much she was seething. She pointed her finger at Piper, wanting her message to come across more clearly because listening seemed to be something Piper didn't know how to do these days. "I tried to understand you the first few times because I knew you were going through something. But I am done putting up with your shit. If you—"

"Hey, Ma." Nicky suddenly interrupted, holding Red's arm as she guided it down. She looked at Piper who was still just standing there, unaffected by anything Red just said, before looking back at Red. "I'll talk to her. Just... calm down, okay?"

"You better shake that blondie's head back into sanity or I swear to God I'm gonna kick her ass out of here," warned Red before turning her back towards Nicky and Piper as she walked to her office.

"Come here," Nicky said as she dragged Piper into the storage room. "Chapman, what the fuck is going on with you?! Do you want to be out of job? This is like the millionth time you've been late. And if you're not late, you miss work. Jesus Christ."

"You know if she wants to kick me out, then fine with me. I don't really care anymore."

"And that's the whole fucking problem. You've stopped caring. Again." Nicky rubbed her face out of frustration. She'd been trying to knock some sense into Piper and Alex ever since she found out they've been both using like fucking drug addicts, but Piper would only listen to Alex. And Alex, well Alex hasn't talked to her in weeks now, still thinking she was the one who told Piper about the drugs. "Piper, you were supposed to drag Alex out of this, not join her. What the hell happened?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Look, I gotta go to wor—"

"No." Nicky said as she held tightly on Piper's arm to keep her from walking away. "We are gonna sort this shit out right fucking now," she said firmly before sighing and finally letting out what she really felt about all these. "I'm really worried about you two. Will you please, please just try and listen to me? Piper, you both are killing yourselves with what you're doing. I've barely seen the two of you sober. What good is this doing to you?"

Piper seemed to want to dismiss Nicky's question but ended up sighing as she grasped Nicky's shoulder firmly. "Nicky, Alex and I are fine. We've never been better. She's not having nightmares anymore. And I haven't even thought about my shitty mother in a while, well until now anyway," Piper chuckled but Nicky just looked at her as if she couldn't believe what was coming out of her mouth. "You don't need to worry about us, okay?" She then pulled Nicky into a hug and kissed the side of her head before she started walking past the bushy-haired woman.

"Piper..." Nicky looked at Piper with pleading eyes, hoping this time, it would get through her and not make Nicky feel as if she was talking to some soulless person when she would look Piper in the eyes.

"Nicky," Piper said, with finality in her tone, her eyes still blank with emotions as they were before. "I promise. We're okay." And she walked out of the room leaving Nicky feeling frustrated and worried like she's never felt before.

-o-o-o-

Alex and Piper were sitting on the floor with their backs pressed against the back of Alex's couch when Nicky walked in. They were both laughing so damn hard, obviously high out of their minds again and didn't even notice Nicky's presence until she cleared her throat catching both their attentions.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Alex immediately asked, her laugh dying down as she looked at who just came in her house.

"I came here to see how you two are doing," Nicky answered calmly as she took in her surroundings. It's been a while since she came in here trying to avoid Alex and seeing it for the first time in weeks, surprised wouldn't even come close to describing how she felt at the moment. This wasn't the place she used to see. Even if Alex wasn't here before, she always made sure that it still looked like home because it's what Alex wanted. It's what she knew her mom would've wanted if she was still alive.

But now, it looked like a place that had been abandoned for so long. There were leftovers at almost every place she would lay her eyes on, clothes and dishes left unwashed. The smell was almost even worse, the stink of all of that mixed with the smell of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, heroin and any other drugs Nicky could think of wafting through the air.

"We're fucking fine, we don't need anyone looking out for us like we're some fucking children."

"Hey," Piper finally cut in as she finally noticed the tension between Alex and Nicky. "What is going on here?" She tried to stand up but failed to do so causing her to land on her butt. "I fucking fell," she told Alex and Nicky as she laughed like crazy, as if they didn't witness what just happened.

Alex joined in on the laughter as she steadied Piper. "Yeah, you did."

"Anyway, Nicky," Piper then said, giving up on standing up as she looked at Nicky who was still standing over them, "how are things going on with you and Lorna? I saw you two earlier today and you two were so cute!" She then looked at Alex, waiting for her to second what she just said. "Aren't they cute, Al?"

Alex scoffed. "They're stupid for being in a relationship when they both know Lorna is gonna get married to another person anyway," Alex said with a humourless laugh, not even bothering to look at Nicky.

"Alex!" Piper half-scolded her girlfriend before shooting Nicky an apologetic look. "Sorry, she's just a little edgy."

"Oh, really? The drugs didn't take the edge off yet?" Alex finally looked at Nicky, but it was with so much hatred Nicky was almost taken aback. She's never been at the other end when Alex gave this look. Ever since they became friends, they've never had any big arguments or misunderstanding. When they would get into some petty fights, eventually they would go back to the way they usually were, forgetting what had happened as if it didn't even happen in the first place.

But this, whatever Alex was feeling towards her right now was going on for weeks and Nicky hated it. She missed the old Alex. She missed her best friend and she came in here hoping she'd get her back, but with what's currently going on, she now realized how tough that was gonna be.

She really wanted to be calm about this, but she couldn't stop the anger that was now building inside of her. It wasn't because of what Alex said about her and Lorna, even if it hit her like a huge rock knowing it was true, but because she felt helpless over this. She had been thinking about this every day, coming up with ideas on how to shake Piper, and especially Alex, from this sanity for as long as she could remember, causing her a lot of sleepless nights, but she still has come up empty.

"What's going on with you two?" Piper asked, confused as to what was happening between Alex and Nicky. She was a bit surprised coz she hasn't noticed anything wrong with them before this. Not that she's noticed anything other than Alex for a while, though.

"She's mad at me because she thinks I told you about the damn fucking drugs," answered Nicky, who wasn't looking at Piper, but at Alex who was shooting daggers at her.

"What?" Piper looked at Alex who only looked back at her briefly. "No, she did not. I found out myself. You suck at hiding things from me, you know that." Piper again laughed, but this time Alex didn't join in. So she decided to rest her head on Alex's shoulder, feeling her girlfriend's body tense.

"So what now? You're really both doing this? This has what your life has come to?"

"Why don't you mind your fucking business and just get the fuck out of here?"

"Alex, I'm not an enemy here." Nicky didn't know why or if she even saw it right, but Alex's glare had suddenly softened, and all she could see in her eyes was exhaustion, as if she was just too damn tired of it all.

"I know, Nicky," she said softly, her voice toning down a little but still with a little edge on it. "But I know how to take care of myself. And I know how to take care of Piper," her voice cracked and she had to swallow hard before she could speak again. "So, I need you to just go."

-o-o-o-

"Nicky, you're worrying yourself too much over this." Lorna said as Nicky sat beside her frustratingly. They were both at the blonde's place and Lorna could feel the tension and worry from Nicky. She wasn't used to seeing her like this. Usually, she would just joke around no matter what the situation was but right now, she really looked distraught.

"Look, you don't understand," Nicky started, her elbows on the table as she massaged her temples. "Alex, she's not just my best friend. She's..." she swallowed her, feeling a lump in her throat start to form, "...she's fucking family. And I just... I don't know how to pull her out of this."

Lorna just rubbed Nicky's back, not knowing what to say. She had seen how Piper and Alex were drastically changing. And it terrified her, too, because it wasn't just some petty difference that she's noticed. They weren't themselves anymore. They were too far gone and she understood why Nicky was scared because she, too, couldn't see how they could still bring back the Alex and Piper they both knew.

"It's my fault," Nicky suddenly blurted out, "this is all my fucking fault!" She then connected her fist against the table with too much force which startled Lorna.

"Hey, hey!" the brunette said, calming her. She took Nicky's hand as she pulled her body towards her, enveloping her with her arms. "It's not your fault, Nick. You've done everything you could. This is on them now."

"I can't just leave them alone," Nicky said weakly, letting Lorna's warmth calm her even just slightly. "I have to do something. I can't let them do this, Lorna. I have to get them back. I can't... I can't lose my best friend."

-o-o-o-

When Nicky left, Piper could still feel the tension radiating off of Alex's body. So she suddenly climbed onto her lap and straddled her as she brought their lips together quite hardly. "Hey, baby. You have to relax, okay?"

Alex was a little reluctant kissing Piper back at first, still feeling all her mixed emotions towards Nicky. She knew she wasn't really mad at her. Even before Piper told her that Nicky hasn't told her about the drugs, she already knew that Nicky wouldn't do that to her. But she had to make herself believe that because she wanted to get mad. She needed to get mad. She really didn't understand why but these days, she really didn't want to understand anything anymore.

But Piper was persistent as she kissed her even harder, gripping her head in place so she couldn't move away. She could feel Piper lick her bottom lip as if asking for entrance and so Alex opened her mouth, allowing Piper's tongue to explore the insides of her mouth.

"Forget about Nicky," Piper said, starting to get breathless from the kiss, "Forget about everything else." As her tongue battled with Alex's, she slid one of her hands down, groping Alex's breast against the material of her shirt causing Alex to arch her body into her touch. "It's just you and me, babe. You and me."

And it was all the convincing Alex needed to hear. The anger she was feeling just moments ago, the sadness she had feeling as if she was slowly losing her best friend, were instantly replaced by her pure lust towards her girlfriend who was now moving against her so their centers were being pressed together. Desire shot through Alex as she fisted Piper's hair, her mouth trailing downwards until she was full-on biting and sucking on her neck, only to ease the pleasurable pain with her tongue.

Getting frustrated by the offending material that was Piper's shirt, Alex let go of the blonde's hair so she could take it off from Piper. When it got stuck on Piper's head, she forcefully ripped the shirt open and threw it on the side, stopping Piper so she could look at her.

"I liked that shirt."

"I don't give a fuck. Just kiss me," Alex said, her breathing ragged. Her lips were then met by Piper's again and they stayed like that for a while, feeling each other's flesh against their lips and palms, getting too overwhelmed by how much each other's touch could make them go crazy about each other. "Where do you wanna go?" Alex suddenly asked, her fingers rolling and pinching one of Piper's nipples while she sucked on the other.

"What?" asked Piper confused, unable to think clearly because of the things Alex's tongue and hands were doing to her.

"Where do you wanna go? Anywhere in this world?" Alex asked again, all the while busying her hands with Piper's breasts that fit them perfectly, while she peppered kisses all over her face and jaws and neck.

"I... I don't know," Piper stuttered, as she kept rocking on Alex's lap creating a friction between their heats, feeling a pool of wetness gather between her legs. "Anywhere... anywhere with you," Piper sucked air through her teeth as Alex's mouth found her breast's mound again, biting it a little before circling her tongue around it. "Fuck, Alex."

Alex's hands now travelled towards Piper's shorts and she tugged on them. "Take this off." Piper complied, taking her underwear with it and she settled herself back on Alex's lap, resulting to Alex inhaling sharply as she felt Piper's wet center. "You're so fucking hot." Alex, who had by now taken her clothes off, too, whispered on Piper's ear before biting on her earlobe.

Shivers went down Piper's spine and she felt as if she was gonna come undone just by hearing her girlfriend's voice. "Alex..." Piper said, hissed, knowing if Alex still didn't touch her where she wanted her to, she was gonna go insane. "Alex, I need you."

Alex noted the desperation in Piper's voice so instead of teasing her even more like she usually did, her hands travelled downward until she could feel Piper's wetness on her fingers. "Tell me where you wanna go," she whispered again, her fingers swiping Piper's clit up and down.

"I don't..." Piper hopelessly started, trying to make her brain function despite the pure and animalistic desire coursing through her veins as she felt Alex's fingers play with her wet center.

"Where?" Alex asked sharply, surprising Piper as she entered her with two long, dexterous fingers.

"Fuck!" Piper screamed, unprepared of what Alex just did. Her girlfriend then pulled her fingers all the way out, until she entered her again, this time a little rougher. "FUCK, Alex!" Piper buried her head at the crook of Alex's neck and bit on her shoulder, stopping herself from screaming. "Bali!"

She then said, finally realizing one of the places she's been wanting to visit ever since Alex told her stories about the places she's travelled to. She knew there were probably other places she should've chosen, but there's something about Bali that seemed to pull at Piper.

"You wanna go to Bali?" asked Alex again, her fingers not relenting as she slid in and out of Piper hard and fast, bringing the blonde closer and closer to the edge.

"Yes," Piper answered quickly, her breathing getting laboured and laboured as she neared her impending orgasm. "Yesss..." she once again whispered, as she was now riding Alex's fingers, her own hands gripping Alex's head before crashing her lips onto hers. "Alex, I'm so close."

This only fuelled Alex's desire to bring Piper to her release. "Let go, babe," she told Piper as she added another finger before curling them inside her, hitting Piper right where she needed her to. She then felt Piper's walls clench tight against her fingers and she knew it was only a matter of seconds before Piper would go tumbling over the edge.

"Al, I'm cumming... I'm cumming, I'm cumming!" Piper screamed, all the while meeting Alex's fingers thrust per thrust, and before she could say another word, she felt something inside her explode as she finally let go, her orgasm hitting her like it never did before. "Fuck," she mumbled into Alex's neck, as her girlfriend helped her come down from her high, still pumping her fingers inside her until she slowly slid them out of her. She then took Alex's hand as she wiped them clean, tasting herself from them.

Arousal shot through Alex seeing Piper do that, so she again brought their lips together before Piper pressed her forehead against her. "Do you wanna go to Bali?"

"What?" Piper said, unable to process her girlfriend's question as exhaustion started taking over her body.

Not wanting to repeat her question and afraid to take the risk that Piper might say no, Alex took the chance to tell Piper what she'd been wanting to do for as long as she could remember, "We're going to Bali," – and that was to fulfil a promise she'd once told Piper when she told her she'd take her far away from this damn place.

Now, she had the chance. And she was going to fucking take it.

-o-o-o-

A/N and SHOUTOUTS:

Yes, next chapter, they're going to Bali!

So, I received way more reviews for the last chapter than I usually got. So please bear with this long ass shoutout section. I love you people way too much. *hugs and kisses*

And also, not gonna promise a quick update after this one. I will try to update like the usual (after one week) but at this point, that seems unlikely, so please bear with me beautiful people.

elliellie1, Whoah, plot twist indeed, man! Thank you for the compliment! That was sweet. =)

luuuandrade, Sorry if this story is worrying you. Please smile. Haha. Thank you for the review! =)

sara lance, OH YES I DID. Hahaha. Sorry! I didn't mean that chapter. The next chapter is going to be a breather. But I know you won't believe me now so why bother? Haha! Thank you again, you've always been so nice. =)

vausegasm, I am so sorry! I didn't mean to give you a migraine but I'm glad I did coz it seems that my evil plan is working. Haha! Just kidding. I'm not sure if I should apologize for giving you an even more fucked up version of Alex and Piper, tell me if I should and I will. =) You are obviously raging but hopefully you will be calm while reading this new chapter because it's not as angsty as the previous one. Haha. As usual, I loved your review and you still make me smile despite all the yelling hahaha. Sorry this update took long. =)

Joey2920, Sorry that I gave you yet again another sad chapter. Here's another update, I'm not sure it's gonna answer your question but hopefully you'd still find it worth reading. =)

Phantomjazz, I am glad that you do! No cliff hanger for this chapter, I believe? Haha. Thank you for your review! =)

Guest (who wants me to slap vauseman lol), Thank you! I will do my best to give each of them a slap, but as of now, please bare with me. Good things come to people who wait, right? =)

WB79, Haha, thank you for your review. And here's some more, hope you like it! =)

Guest (who hated this chapter), I'm sorry! But thank you for thinking it was well-written. Still sorry that you hated it, though. =(

Kojojo, Thank you for that review but I'm afraid I can't answer your question right now. You will find out soon enough, though. =)

TinyGuitarist, That is one of the biggest compliments I have ever received and thank you so much! I'm smiling like an idiot right now and this will never go away for days. Haha. =)

Budda1127, Wow, your review was so awesome I don't even know what to say anymore other than a great, big THANK YOU! That was seriously one of the best reviews I've ever received and I can never thank you enough for it. Love you! =)

Skye9598, Oh my gosh, I am so freaking sorry. I wasn't trying to give you major migraine, just wanted to evoke a little emotion from you but I guess I went over the top, eh? Haha! I don't know if I should take that as a compliment that you think my Vauseman version is more fucked up than the one in the series, but I will choose to take it as so. =)) Here's the new update hope you like it!

piccolover22, Yeah, she is! Haha. Thank you, I'm glad you liked it! =)

FFChik, Thank you for that wonderful review! Here's a new one, hope you like it! =)

ManveerlovesVauseman, Thank you for that wonderful review and for the compliment. Here's the new chapter, hoping that you'll like it, too! =)

Shepherdinha, Twisted love indeed! I'm so happy you like my story despite the angst, it means the world to me! =)

luveverythingtv, About your questions, I want to answer but I also really don't want to. Haha! We all need a little mystery in our life, right? You'll find out soon enough! And sorry for the long wait. Hopefully this chapter will make up for it. =)

rach5878, I'm so happy that you love this story. I'm sorry that the previous chapter was too sad but you never know maybe everything will eventually work out, right? Keep reading and maybe you will get what you want. Haha! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! =)

schillingarmy, I hope I have answered your question through this chapter. And yes, angst is what I live for, I'm glad you approve. Haha! And thank you so much for that wonderful review, you just made me blush! =)

Grumpy and Emma, Who wouldn't be able to read this anymore given that they'd said they couldn't continue reading Shattered after last chapter, but just in case you come looking, thank you! =)

Jill57, I understand if you decide to not finish this story any longer, but I'd really appreciate it if you give it another chance. If not, then let me just thank you for reaching up until the previous chapter. =)

RJVause, Thank you very much. And yeah, Nicky is really gonna be there for them no matter what happens so there's that. Thank you for the amazing review and hopefully you like this one, too. =)

moanzs, I AM SO SORRY! For making you cry and yell but I guess that really was the purpose of the previous chapter. Haha! Kidding. =) "When are you going to need me, too?" is one line I've been wanting to use here ever since and I'm glad a number of you liked it as well. I know the angst is too much but please bear with me. No spoilers on what's gonna happen in the future and hopefully you will have the heart to find it out for yourself. Haha. Have a great day, my friend!

Guest (who hates Alex), Alex says sorry. =( Lol kidding. And they are indeed messed up. Sorry for the stress this story is causing you. Here's some brownies for you =))

izzielg, Thank you very much for thinking that it was well written despite its strangeness. Haha. Hope this new chapter is a lot less strange. =)

Guest (who actually really loved the previous chapter), Wow, thank you! I'm sorry that it has upset you though, it is kinda needed in this story. Haha. I hope this chapter answered your previous thoughts about how Alex was gonna react to what happened. I'm glad you liked what I did with the chapter and hopefully you like this one as well. =)

SheriLovey, Glad you saw something positive from the previous chapter even though it was reeking with so much negativity! Haha. And I get it, we're all emotional freaks when it comes to Vauseman. =) Sorry though that I couldn't update sooner. I tried but life got in the way. And thank you for considering me as one of your favourite authors here on ff. That means a lot to me. *cries* Yeah, I love replying to your reviews, it feels like talking to you and it's awesome!

Guest (Please please please), Hm, you can find out yourself by reading til the end, right? Lol. Sorry I don't wanna give out any "spoilers" but it doesn't mean they won't end up together. Doesn't mean they will, too. Again, you just have to find out yourself.

huggerguest, I'm so sorry for breaking your heart into a thousand pieces then into million ones. I will try to make it up to you some time in the future! I'm glad you liked that line as I loved it, too. Haha. And being this as the most intense in a long time, I hope that's a god thing even just slightly =) Nicky will have a big role in that. Thank you for your reviews!

Anabanana, Thank you so much! I'm so sorry about the previous chapter being heart breaking, though. And I hope you'll be able to finish this. Again, thanks very much for taking the time to leave a review.

Marauder-Lu, I'm so glad you liked the previous chapter a lot. That means so much to me. =) Sorry for the rollercoaster of emotions, though. Haha. Thank you again and hopefully you like this one, too.

jo michael, Hi there! I know, too much drama in the previous chapter. I tried to tone it down this chapter but I don't know if I succeeded. Haha. Thank you so much, I'm happy that you still think it was amazing despite its darkness. You are too sweet, you're the incredible one and I'm so happy I've met you through this site and we've become friends even just through these exchange of messages. =) And I love you, too, and your reviews. I'm glad you liked my Laylor fics. Although I'm not sure if I still want to write those kinds. Haha. Anyway, life is good, and I hope yours is, too. Have a great day!

Vausemaniac, It's such a relief to know that you're still going to keep reading despite too much angst going on here. I'm also happy that you liked that line coz it's also one of my faves. Haha. Anyway, you can leave a one-word review and I will still be very thankful so you don't need to apologize. I'm just happy you left one. So thank you! =)

Alexvausefan, I don't usually give out spoilers, but that may or may not happen. Hahaha. Yeah, I really hate spoilers. Thank you, though! =)