A/N:
Apologizing in advance (especially to all of my readers who live in Indonesia) for any mistakes/inaccuracies I may have made as I've never been to Bali. I tried to be as accurate as possible but if I committed massive mistakes, please let me know. Thank you!
I can safely say that no mention of drugs in this chapter (actually no, that's a lie. there are some, but I don't think you'd mind), this is just fluff and happy Vauseman. I think it's time you deserved a break from every pain this fic has caused you. Haha. And this is only the first part of Bali. I'm pretty sure you'd get more Bali next chapter.
So, enjoy!
I still don't own anything.
15
"...when my world was dark and blue, I know the only one who rescued me was you..."
-o-o-o-
Alex and Piper was about to leave for the airport when the blonde noticed her girlfriend hesitating to leave the house. "Babe? What's wrong? Are you having second thoughts of leaving now?"
"No," Alex shook her head adamantly. "I just... do you think you can wait for me for a while here? I just need to go see Nicky."
Piper raised an eyebrow at her before shrugging her shoulders. "Of course." She smiled widely because Alex had finally decided to talk to Nicky. She'd been talking her into it for days now, wanting the two best friends to finally make up and it seemed like Alex had finally listened to her. "But you gotta be quick, I don't wanna be late for our flight."
"No, yeah. I won't take long." She then went to her room to grab something. When she came out, she kissed Piper before hurrying out towards Nicky's, somewhere she hasn't visited in weeks.
While Alex walked towards Nicky's place, she contemplated on what to tell her. She knew she had been an asshole towards her even though she knew that Nicky was just looking out for her. But it was like the only way she could keep making herself believe that she wasn't doing anything wrong was to keep lashing out at her best friend, no matter how stupid that sounded. No matter how stupid that actually was.
But now, she missed her. And no matter how much she denied it to herself, her life was never going to be the same without Nicky in it. So before she and Piper left, she decided to finally stop being a dick and reach out to the person who's only been there for her ever since she could remember. And she knew that today was the best day to do that.
When she reached Nicky's house, Alex couldn't bring herself to knock on her door as soon as she should have. She and Nicky weren't like this. They hated drama. They weren't fans of serious talks or unexpected confrontations, but realizing that all they've done for the last couple of months were those things, she finally brought her hand up and tapped her fist against the door.
Nicky opened up a few seconds later and Alex didn't fail to notice the surprise etched on her face when she saw who her visitor was.
"Happy birthday," Alex said timidly, and uncharacteristically, before lifting her hand holding the gift she'd decided to buy Nicky.
Alex couldn't make out Nicky's expression, but when she's finally gotten over her surprise at the unannounced visit, she took Alex's gift and mumbled a soft "Thanks." She then gestured for Alex to get inside her house, and followed suit after Alex was finally in.
They stayed quiet for a while, waiting for each other to speak first, both not knowing how to really start. But when Alex finally noticed that Nicky wasn't going to say the first word and that she was actually waiting for her to say something, she finally decided to speak first. "Uhh, Piper and I... we're leaving for Bali." Alex knew there were other things she could've said first but it was the first thing she could think of so she just decided to say it anyway.
"Oh," Nicky said nodding her head, her expression still unreadable. "When?"
"Right now."
"Right now?" Nicky then asked, no longer hiding her surprise, and probably her disappointment, her voice a lot louder than it was before. "On my fucking birthday? Are you serious?"
Nicky was honestly surprised to see Alex when she opened her door to her. But realizing why Alex must have come, she felt hope rise in her chest thinking that maybe Alex had finally come around and realized all the mistakes she'd been making with Piper the last couple of weeks, months even. She felt almost happy, because maybe Alex wasn't too far gone as she thought.
And maybe she chose this day to come to her because Nicky still mattered to her... that maybe she could still remember how important it was for Nicky to celebrate this day with the most important people in her life, her and Red, and that maybe she wouldn't want to miss it for the world.
But fuck maybe's. That word always worked against Nicky.
"I tried to rebook the flight but it was too late," Alex quickly said, guilt evident on her face.
"Why'd you have to rebook in the first place when you could've just chosen another day to leave when you booked the flight?"
"I di—" Alex looked down, knowing full well why... and knowing Nicky would eventually figure it out herself.
"Oh right," Nicky nodded, a dangerous and humourless grin forming on her mouth. "You were fucking high again. That's why you didn't remember. Of fucking course."
"Nick, I'm really trying here."
"No, you're not. You're really, really not," she replied sharply, unable to stop the anger and hurt that she was feeling at the moment. "You know what? Just go, Vause." She then turned her back on Alex, her right arm on her hip while her left one brushed her hair exasperatedly. Alex's gift on her hand felt weightless, not because it was really light, but because right now, it felt as if it didn't really mean anything at all.
"Nicky..." Alex said pleadingly, not expecting for this visit to turn out like this.
Nicky breathed deeply, trying to calm her nerves and push the hurt deep, deep down her. Alex made the first move. She came here. It was better than nothing. And right now, that should matter to Nicky enough. So she slowly turned around and gave Alex a weak smile, "I understand. Thank you," she then lifted her hand holding Alex's gift, "for this. Have a safe flight."
-o-o-o-
Piper never liked flying. Hell, she was terrified of it. She didn't know where that fear came from but she knew it was from when she was still a child. So before she and Alex boarded the plane, she was confident that the fear was already gone and that she was over it. But the moment she was seated, her heart started beating fast and she felt as if she could almost throw up any minute.
So to say that the 21-hour flight to Bali was taxing to Piper, would be a massive understatement. The blonde was antsy almost the whole damn time thinking that the plane would crash. And all the while, she kept wishing that she had something to take the edge off but since that was not an option during their flight, she settled on focusing on Alex's hand, holding on to it with a bone-crushing grip. And Piper was so thankful that even though she was so close to breaking her girlfriend's hand into pieces, she did not receive a single complaint from her.
Instead, Alex worked hard on having Piper focus on anything other than the fact that they were a million miles up by telling her every story she could think of, telling her to look right into her eyes and Piper was glad that she did, because those emerald green eyes were always capable of calming her down. Alex made sure she did this until Piper was exhausted enough to finally be able to fall asleep.
A few moments before the plane was landing, Alex decided to finally wake Piper up, whose head was resting on her shoulder, arms wrapped around Alex's. "Babe, time to wake up. We're almost there." She kissed the top of Piper's head as Piper started stirring.
When Piper opened her eyes, she blinked a few times, reacquainting her eyes and body with her surroundings. When she's fully woken up and finally realized where she was, she looked up at Alex who already had her eyes on her, her smile so beautiful Piper couldn't help but mimic it. "We're in Bali?"
Alex leaned down and pressed her lips to Piper who kissed her back eagerly, "Yes, baby. We're in Bali."
-o-o-o-
It was night time when Piper and Alex arrived at the hotel they were staying in. Standing at the interior entrance of the hotel, Piper couldn't help but be awed at the beautiful stoned walls and staircases leading up inside. Those staircases were filled with numerous small lamps, illuminating the entire property ground of the luxurious hotel. "Alex, this place is beautiful," she commented, looking around the place with eyes wide and a smile even wider.
"But we're not even inside yet," answered Alex, who wrapped her arm around Piper's shoulder, leading her towards their hotel room, followed by one of the hotel staff carrying their luggage for the entire trip.
When they reached their room, Piper had to contain her excitement at the sight around her until she was left alone with Alex. "Oh my God," she exclaimed, leaving Alex to run towards the wooden terrace just outside their room, overlooking the massive ocean, illuminated by the millions of stars above it. The terrace had a low bed at the side, the whole place adorned by magnificent lights hanging from the beautiful trees surrounding the place. A few steps away was a beautiful, huge private infinity pool, a luxury only the most expensive rooms in the hotel had. She took in the sight in front of her before turning around to go back inside their room, when she was met by Alex, ignoring everywhere around her as her focus was solely on her. Piper felt her heart beat faster at the look Alex was giving her, her eyes filled with so much love and admiration.
"You like it?" the raven-haired asked, drawing herself closer to Piper who met her with slow steps.
"I love it," Piper answered when she reached Alex, her arms immediately snaking around Alex's waist, as her girlfriend cupped her face and looked straight right into her eyes. "And I love you." She then tilted her head slightly upwards, so she could meet Alex's lips and they stayed like that for a while, the burden of everything and everyone they left at home, instantly forgotten.
"I love you more," answered Alex when they pulled away, her hands resting on Piper's.
"Na-uh," Piper shook her head. "Not possible."
Alex quirked her eyebrows at Piper playfully, as she brought Piper's arms to wound more tightly around her, bringing their bodies even closer. "Hm, are you challenging me, Chapman?"
"What if I am?" Piper answered back, her mouth only inches from Alex's ear as she whispered, before she bit on it lightly, causing Alex to shut her eyes and let out a soft moan.
"Then I'm gonna prove you wrong," Alex answered, her voice raspier and an octave lower, as she turned them both around until she was kissing Piper fervently while she slightly pushed her towards the huge bed residing in the middle of the room.
Piper yelped out a high and child-like scream as her back hit the bed, Alex's body falling on top of hers, before she laughed playfully and brought her lips towards Alex's again. "Now? Aren't you jetlagged or something?"
"Why? Do you want me to stop?" Alex asked, giving Piper a challenging look before she started sucking and biting onto the blonde's neck, her hands crawling underneath her girlfriend shirt.
"No..." answered Piper, the feeling of being in Alex's warmth, giving her more high than any other thing there was in this world.
-o-o-o-
Alex woke up to wet chaste kisses being pressed all over her face. She slowly smiled and opened one eye open, peering at the beautiful blonde hovering over her. "Well, good morning to me." Piper just smiled at her returning her gaze lovingly. "What time is it?" Piper then turned sheepish, still keeping her mouth shut, causing Alex to raise her brows at her before reaching for her phone beside her to look at the time. "Six o'clock?! Ugh, Piper what the hell are you doing waking me up this early?"
Piper turned on the charm as she lowered herself on top of Alex, pressing her chin in the middle of her chest as she looked at her. "I wanna start exploring," she said like a kid waiting for her request to be granted.
"Pipes," Alex groaned, looking away because she knew she could never say no to Piper once she gave her that look. "The reason I bought two one-way tickets is for us to be able to stay here as long as you want. That needs we don't need to hurry."
"But I wanna go now. Please?" Piper asked as she lifted her weight to be able to look Alex in the eye. She gave Alex her most effective doe-eyed look ever because she knew just how powerful that worked over her. It had never failed before and it was not failing now.
"Don't give me that look. It's not working this time," Alex scolded her lightly before shutting her eyes, because of course it's working again. She then held onto Piper before turning so Piper was now lying on her side.
"Babyyyy," Piper insisted, shuffling closer to Alex's arms. "I'll do anything you want me to do in the shower if you get up now," she then whispered, her voice low and seductive as she slowly inched her face closer to Alex.
Alex chuckled as she opened her eyes again. "Do you think that I have the libido of a teenage boy to grab that opportunity in exchange for this warm, soft bed?" she asked Piper as she stretched her right arm, gesturing towards the king-sized bed.
"Yes. And I don't just think it, I know it. And I also know just how much you love me and will do anything for me," Piper smiled widely at Alex, knowing just how close she was to getting what she wanted.
Alex tried to fight it off, even when she could feel Piper's warm breath against her, even when she could almost feel her lips brushing slightly against her own. But then Piper finally kissed her and her resolve had instantly melted away, the need to cater to all Piper's wishes trumping her own wants and needs. She smiled into the kiss as she opened her eyes. "You... are a terrible person."
Piper squealed, realizing she had won this one again, before throwing her arms around her girlfriend's neck, peppering her face with wet, sloppy kisses. "And you are the best girlfriend ever!"
"I'm your only girlfriend, dumbass," Alex retorted back, as she watched Piper get off the bed.
Piper then looked back at her and gave her a knowing look. "Who said I only have one?"
Alex gasped playfully, faking a surprised look. "You wouldn't!"
Piper then pulled Alex up as she kissed her on the cheek. "Of course you're my one and only," she said jokingly, but knowing deep down just how much she meant it. "Come on, time for shower!"
Alex could only oblige as she lifted her legs off the bed towards the floor, letting Piper drag her towards the bathroom, her smile reaching her ears at the sight of her girlfriend looking so damn happy.
-o-o-o-
After Alex and Piper took their time in the shower, Piper fulfilling her earlier promise to her girlfriend, they went down for breakfast getting served by only the best Balinese cuisines. Piper loved the food so much, especially the Nasi Goreng, the mix of different spices settling well on her taste buds. She made Alex promise that it wouldn't be the last time she would eat that and Alex, ever the obliging girlfriend, promised her just that.
Afterwards, they visited the beach just outside their hotel briefly, enjoying the serenity of the ocean at this early hour, making sure to enjoy it as soon as they could.
Their first stop, Alex decided was to climb the famous Mount Batur, a volcanic mountain that rose over a lake which beautifully mirrored it. Alex had only been there once, but didn't really do much climbing, thinking it was too much of an exercise for her. But after Piper insisted that they both did it, she once again gave in.
They climbed the mountain slowly, their backpacks in tow, Piper taking in everything she could see, snapping pictures at every interesting thing she could find, sometimes at an unaware Alex, catching her in her most raw and unguarded self, a sight Piper thought made Alex more beautiful than she normally was. Alex regretted that they didn't do this earlier so Piper could've seen the sunrise, but knowing they could come back anytime they wanted anyway, she just decided to enjoy the walk with her girlfriend, surprised that she was actually loving the climb.
"Okay, here's another one," Alex said as she again thought of another Would You Rather question. "Would you rather drink piss or eat shit?"
"Ew, that's so gross!" Piper said as she grimaced, the thought of either choice making her want to hurl everything she's eaten today. "Why do you always have to give me these kinds of choices?"
"Coz that's the beauty of the game, to make you choose between two options you wouldn't even consider if you had a choice to back out."
"No, it's not!" Piper retorted, not buying her girlfriend's bullshit.
Alex just laughed. "I know. But what if it is?"
"Well then, I'm choosing to back out. Jesus, just the thought of that makes me wanna barf."
"Ah you are such a kill joy, come on just answer the fucking question."
Piper glared at Alex which Alex just answered her with a chuckle. "Fine! Uhm, drink piss, of course. That sounds a lot less crazy than eating shit."
"Yeah, it's just like swallowing cum, you know."
"Alex!" Piper said, blood filling her cheeks, to which Alex just guffawed at. "You're crazy."
"And what does that say about you since you love me?" Alex smirked at Piper earning her a shake of her girlfriend's head.
"Probably a lot crazier," Piper answered, but finally with a smile etched on her lips. "Okay, I have one. Would you rather sleep with a guy or never sleep with any girl again?"
Alex chuckled at the absurdity of the question, but definitely a lot less absurd than her previous question, but decided to answer it anyway. "I would rather never sleep with any girl again."
Piper, surprised at Alex's answer, stopped on her tracks and looked at Alex. "Really?"
"Yeah!" Alex said, looking at Piper like she's lost her mind. "Why would I wanna sleep with any girl when I already have you?" she asked, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Piper resumed walking, her hands still enveloped by Alex's hand, their shoulders brushing against each other as they walked. "Well, I am a girl so I think I fit that category."
"Oh no, you're not just any girl. You're my girl," Alex said, already preparing for the onslaught of teases she was gonna get from Piper because of what she just said.
True enough, Piper looked at her open-mouthed, with a slight blush but also with a shit-eating grin. "Alex Vause, you are such a cute little puppy!" Piper exclaimed as she clutched on her chest, looking like she was so touched at what Alex just said knowing how much Alex hated it when she would call on her sappiness.
"Uh, can you not? I'm a sexy, badass lesbian."
Piper laughed out loud, not being able to disagree with what Alex just said. "And that, too. My sexy, badass lesbian," she again chuckled lightly, before bringing her face closer to Alex as she kissed her probably for the thousandth time today.
And so they went on like that, walking as they did their favourite thing: exchanging banters and kisses, just enjoying the view just as much as they enjoyed being in each other's presence in such a beautiful place. A few hours later, they finally reached the peak and Piper gasped as she took in the magnificent sight in front of her. "Wow," Piper whispered.
"I know," Alex agreed, seeing it for the first time as well. Seeing the wide lake in front of them, she couldn't help but remember her own lake with Piper and how that place had witnessed so many painful and beautiful memories of her and her girlfriend. But this place, it wasn't a witness of any pain or suffering of them both, it would only see the happiness that she and Piper had at the moment, being in this exquisite place just the two of them, away from all the cruelty that this world had against them.
It was a beautiful sight, Alex thought. But looking at the blonde beside her, smiling like she's never seen her smile before, she knew that right at this very moment, she was looking at the most beautiful sight she would ever look at her entire life.
-o-o-o-
Alex and Piper explored more afterwards but when they realized that they were too exhausted to even take one step, they decided to go back to their hotel to rest for a bit. "How are we gonna get back?" asked Piper who decided to sit at a sidewalk, afraid that her legs were gonna give up on her if she stood up another second. Alex seemed to think for a bit before her face lit up. "What?"
"Okay, wait here. I'll just make a call."
Piper looked at Alex confused, but before she could even open her mouth to protest, her girlfriend was on her phone speaking to someone. After a while, she ended the call and sat beside Piper. "What was that about?"
"I called for our rides."
"Rides? As in plural?"
"Yes, Piper. Do you need some grammar lessons coz we have plenty of time to do that right now."
"Fuck you," Piper said, shoving Alex a little forcefully.
Alex laughed at her girlfriend before slinging her arm over her shoulder bringing her closer to her. "You know, we really need to work on that temper of yours. If you keep that up, sooner or later you're gonna get into a fight and I don't wanna have to untangle you from whoever you decide to strangle to death when it happens."
Piper smirked as she reached for Alex's hand hanging loosely just below her collarbone. "I don't have a temper. I just get overly emotional sometimes."
"Yeah, right," Alex chuckled before kissing Piper on the cheek.
Suddenly, there was a young boy who was running on the other side of the road. Alex and Piper's attention was suddenly focused on him as he tripped over a rock and fell on his knees, almost hitting his face on the road.
"Oh my God!" exclaimed Piper as she immediately stood up and ran towards the boy, who was probably only 6 or 7 years old.
"Hey wait!" Alex said, surprised at Piper's actions but followed suit on the other side of the road. She watched her girlfriend help the young boy up as she checked on his knees which was now bleeding.
"Hey, it's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you," said Piper to him, in her gentlest voice possible when she noticed the boy tense as she came near him, and Alex felt her chest tighten with so much affection for her girlfriend at the sight. "Babe?" Piper looked up at Alex who was just standing over her and the boy. "Can you get our first-aid kit for me please?"
"Uhh, yeah sure," Alex said, not familiar with this kind of gesture. She usually didn't give a fuck about people she didn't know but her girlfriend was obviously the very opposite as she now catered to the boy who was starting to cry as he saw the blood on his knee. Alex went back to them, now carrying the first-aid kit. "Here." She just stood there awkwardly as Piper started cleaning the boy's wound.
"I'm Piper. What's your name?" Piper asked him, trying to distract him from what she's doing. But the boy just looked at her, not saying a word.
"Pipes, he probably doesn't understand you?"
The boy looked at Alex before looking back at Piper. "Arief."
Piper's face lit up. "Hey, you do understand me!" She then looked at Alex who just shrugged at her. "Arief. That's a really cute name. What are you doing out here on the street alone?"
Piper kept conversing with Arief, her interest unwavering and Alex couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by how much more she's falling in love with this woman by the minute. She was beautiful, and fiery, and so compassionate that Alex just wanted to drown herself in the love she felt for Piper. With how she already felt towards her, Alex actually thought that it was it, that it was not going to get any stronger. But here she was, getting proved wrong yet again.
"Are you gonna be okay?" Piper asked Arief as she finished putting band-aid over his wound. The boy just nodded at her. "You sure you don't want us to bring you to your parents?" Arief nodded again. "Okay, you take care then," Piper said, about to stand up when Arief suddenly flung his arms around her neck. Surprised, Piper looked at Alex, smiling widely at the little guy's gesture before wrapping her own arms to hug him back.
And just like that, the innocent Piper Alex had never seen in so long was back right in front of her eyes and she was suddenly doused with the painful reality that she was the one who took that innocence away from her. Alex corrupted Piper. And now she was faced with the woman she may lose forever if she kept shooting her with those damn drugs.
Lost in her thoughts, Alex hadn't realized that the boy had already left and Piper was already pulling at her arm. "Al?"
"Hey," she said, jerking slightly, before composing herself and smiling fully at Piper. "You done playing doctor with him?" her lips curved up into a smirk.
"Okay, that doesn't sound good," Piper grimaced as she remembered that time Alex used that line on her, resulting to seven mind-blowing orgasms in one night.
Alex just laughed, before she walked with Piper back towards the other side of the street. A few minutes later a pick-up van had stopped before them. A guy, probably in his 50's, then came out, looking at Alex before smiling widely. "Miss Vause!"
"Oh come on, I told you to call me Alex."
"Alex, it's been a long time since I've seen you. I'm glad you're back." It was during that time that he seemed to have finally noticed Piper. "And I believe right here with us is the reason you're back?"
Alex chuckled lightly before pulling Piper closer to her. "This is Piper, my girlfriend."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Piper extended her arm towards the guy and he graciously accepted it as they shook hands.
"Piper, this is Kevin. I met him the first time I came here. He was nice," she said, jokingly downplaying how great this guy actually was to her before. "And he's here to bring us our rides." She then gestured at the back of the pick-up ride, showing Piper two bicycles that were now getting brought down by Kevin.
Piper looked at Alex excitedly as Alex thanked Kevin before he said goodbye to both of them and wished for them to have as much fun as possible. He then went back to his vehicle and sped away, leaving an excited Piper and her amused girlfriend. "This is so cool! I don't even remember the last time I rode a bicycle!" She then swung her legs over her ride as she started to pedal.
"Okay, be careful!" Alex warned, following Piper.
Soon enough, they were riding their bicycles all over Bali, their exhaustion soon forgotten, as they explored as much as they could. They stopped over for lunch, and Alex decided to let Piper taste some Sate varieties, Alex's favourite Balinese delicacy. They were marinated and skewered grilled meat, served with spicy sauce and Piper had enjoyed it too much she even bought some to eat while they continued to drive their bicycle around Bali, sometimes stopping to talk to some locals. Alex would just observe Piper during these times, taking in her girlfriend's delight from interacting with these people and learning so much about their country, and realizing just how much she loved seeing her this way. It took them about two hours of just cycling around until Piper decided they needed to get some rest.
That same night, they visited Rock Bar at Ayana and splurged on some cocktail. It was a bar perched on a cliff overlooking the sea while waves crashed below it. Alex and Piper stayed at the corner of the bar just talking about everything they could think of, tuning out the rest of the world as everything instantly turned into just background. They talked and laughed and kissed and at one point, Alex started playing footsie with Piper under the table and as she saw the blonde's eyes darken with desire, she decided to call it a day and dragged Piper out of there, bringing her back to their hotel.
When they reached their room, Alex didn't waste her time undressing Piper before they could even lay on the bed. They kissed passionately, hands tangling and feeling and exploring each other's bodies as Alex led Piper towards the patio outside their room.
"What are we doing here?" asked Piper, a little confused on why they weren't back inside. Alex just smirked at Piper before darting her eyes towards the bed just a few steps away from them. "Here? But Al, people are gonna see us."
"Babe, we are so high up. No one's gonna see us here, our room is as private as it could get. Come on," Alex convinced Piper as she once again pressed her lips onto hers, making Piper forget her reservations about this.
And so Alex laid Piper on the bed as she paid attention to every inch of her body, worshipping every bit. It wasn't like any previous sex they've been having for the last few weeks because no, this wasn't just sex. This was making love and Alex made sure that Piper felt every ounce of what she felt towards her, that she would never forget just how much, having the massive ocean and the entirety of the sky filled with stars above them as their witnesses.
And as Alex brought Piper to the edge over and over again, she finally realized just how this should be enough for her, that she didn't need anything else, because Piper was all the addiction she needed to get over anything, because Piper was and would always be all that she would ever need. And if she wanted it to last for as long as she lived, she needed to have to fight off her other addiction that wasn't only ruining her life but Piper's, too.
And she would. Even if she died trying.
-o-o-o-
SHOUTOUTS:
Taylor, YEY! I hope you like this Bali chapter, thank you very much! =)
elliellie1, Hopefully she will! Haha. Thank you so much, I'm glad you think so! =)
Guest ("love this story very much"), Aw, that's so sweet! Thanks, dear! =)
Phantomjazz, OMG that was such a cute review, haha. Thank you! And I love you =))
rach5878, I'm so sorry that this story is so hard to read, haha. Hopefully, this lighter chapter can kind of make up for that? That was such a wonderful review and very detailed and I liked it so much I read it about three times. Haha. Thank you for such kind words, they mean so much to me! =)
Budda1127, You made me speechless with your review once again. Every observation is on point, and it makes me giddy because you totally get it. I hope this chapter has satisfied you in some ways and I know I can never thank you enough for always taking the time to leave long reviews. I'll try anyway, so thank you so much! Huge hug and lots of kisses thrown in your way! Xoxo =))
ManveerlovesVauseman, Here's the Bali chapter, yey! Thank you for that awesome review! =)
klaudiasurg, I'm so sorry for everything that's happening to them right now, please bear with me. Haha. Thank you for leaving a review! =)
Marauder-Lu, OMG at first I thought you were gonna say you hated the previous chapter! Haha. Thank you, that review put such a huge smile on my face. And here's the new chapter, an early Christmas present for you, hope you like it. Merry Christmas! =))
RJVause, Thank you for still thinking to continue this no matter what is happening between/to Alex and Piper! And I'm sorry for making your heart ache with what's happening with Nicky. I hope you like the Bali chapter, let me know what you think! Thank you very much for the kind words. =)
Guest (who definitely did NOT bore me with his/her long review), Are you kidding me? I live for long reviews! I love the short ones just as much but the longs ones are kind of special. =) And wow thank you for saying that (about the way I write), it's one of the best compliments I've ever received and it warms my heart (not to be too sappy haha) so again, thank you! And have a nice day as well!
valevauseman, Thank you so much! That means a lot to me coming from you, one of my favourite authors on here. =) Hopefully, you found this chapter light enough coz it's as light as this story could get. Haha!
Jill57, Wow, thank you! It really means a lot that you're giving this story a second chance. Hope you don't regret it. Haha! Thank you for leaving reviews. And about the responses, you're welcome! It's the least I can do and I love talking to all of you. =)
Guest (thank you for this story), I'm so sorry that Vauseman in this story sucks right now. And yeah, it isn't called Shattered for no reason. Haha. And wow, thank you for that! If ever I write a book, I'll send you one for free, haha! =))
Guest (they are so fucked up), I'm so sorry that my own version of Vauseman is so problematic. Haha. Thank you for your review! =)
FFChik, Thank you! I'm glad you've somehow seen through them and "got" why they're doing what they're doing. It makes me feel giddy knowing that this story has "sent" that message (if that even makes sense, haha). Again, thank you for the awesome review and kind words! =)
Joey2920, And thank you for your review! Yes, thank you for telling me that. I honestly couldn't help but feel a bit affected at first but after reading your reviews, I just forgot about those and focus on what I have. You guys have been so wonderful and I can't be happy enough, so thank you so much! =) Hopefully you love this chapter as well and Nicky will make a comeback next chapter. Haha.
WB79, I'm glad that you liked the flashback. I thought I needed to at least put a little fluff after all the misery I've been putting you through. Haha. Sorry if it wasn't much, though. I hope you're not disappointed with how this Bali chapter turned out. And yes, I will consider your suggestion, thank you very much! =)
IloveSweden, Wow, I also cannot put into words how much I wanna thank you right now! Those are really nice words for you to say and now I'm blushins. =') Thank you very much and I hope that you liked the Bali chapter! =)
Ellen0000, Wow, thank you for taking the time to leave a review and let me know that. It really means a lot to me! You are awesome as well and also a great story teller through your great Vauseman and Laylor videos. Keep'em coming, girl! =)
QueenOfRad, Oh yes, worry not coz Nicky will always have an important role in Alex and Piper's relationship and each of their lives as individuals. She's the best friend anyone could ever ask for, right? Thank you for leaving a review for the previous chapter! =)
schillingarmy, Well, aren't you just a positive soul! I'm glad you still see all the good things that are happening to them despite the dark things that are surrounding them right now, that's awesome! And oh my god, if this is your drug, hopefully you're not gonna have withdrawals anytime soon! Haha. Thank you and hope you have a great day as well! =)
izzielg, Strange behaviours indeed! And aww, thank you for that reassurance. I honestly wouldn't mind if some people wouldn't want to continue reading this anymore coz I still have you guys who always say great things about my story. And that's all that matters to me, really. Thank you so much, that was really sweet! =)
sara lance, Hey, girl! Maybe now you can decide on what to feel after this Bali chapter? Haha! Just you wait, maybe I'll bring them back, (but maybe I also won't haha, peace yo). Anyway, I hope you're not too disappointed with this chapter. Thanks for another review! =)
Guest ( who has only found out about this story), I'm happy that you found this story and that (I think haha) you love it. Thank you very much for that review, that was wonderful of you. I always love meeting new readers, so hello! And I hope you don't regret having stumbled upon this lil story of mine. Enjoy the ride! Haha.
Mel, Wow, your review is so sweet I wanna hug you right now! To even consider my story as the "best" angst-y fic is just too great of a compliment because I know how many great darks stories are out there on here, so thank you very much! I really, really do appreciate it. =)
SheriLovey, Thank you! I hope you're not getting tired of me just thanking you every time you review, I honestly don't know what else to say. Anyway, I'm glad you liked the smut. As I've mentioned before (I don't know if you're aware) I'm really not comfortable writing them so it means a lot when you appreciate it. =) Hope you liked this Bali chapter. And you're welcome about the responses, it's really the least I can do.
piccolover22, Thank you! Here's the new chapter, hope you like it as well. =)
Vausemaniac, Wow, that review I can't even. Thank you! I'm really flattered that you think that way of my story that I could give you a big bear hug right now. *blushes* Thank you for the kind words, it really honestly made me a bit sad that some people thought this story is not worth to be read any further but with wonderful people like you saying these things just made me feel a million times better, so thanks again. And yes, I try to update as much as I can coz I don't wanna leave you hanging for too long. Hope you like how this Bali chapter turned out. =)
Lily, Thank youuuuu! Hope you like this new chapter as well. =)
vausegasm, Yes, I can definitely see that you're still not calm about anything. Haha! How about now? Is this chapter acceptable for you or it still hasn't calmed you down? =)) As always, you made me laugh and blush with your review and as much as I'd like to say anything else to calm you down, or agitate you even more, I'd rather keep my mouth shut so you'd still be surprised with what's gonna happen in the future. Haha! So thank you for that awesome review, you never fail to make me smile. =)
moanzs, I apologize for that, haha. I hope I made it up with this chapter, though. And yes, the drugs part is soon coming to its end so let's all wait for it patiently. =)) And don't worry, definitely no spoilers! I hate them, too. Haha. Oh my gosh, is it weird that I like it so much that you let your friend read it? Thank you for letting her in on this even if just on a chapter. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, thank you for that wonderful review!