A.N Your reviews for the last chapter were nothing short of amazing it was fabulous to hear your responses especially as you seemed to enjoy it without hating me too much! I don't think I have ever been that nervous about posting a chapter before and I'm not going to lie in my first draft of roughly written notes I did do the unthinkable and Alex Vause was no more.

But as there seems to be a lot of love for this story and my version of this beloved couple (something I still can't quite comprehend) I thought what better way to thank you for your support than to continue spinning this tale :)

(Also being completely honest I think I would have regretted beginning the end of this story in that last chapter, I too am incredibly fond of this couple and I don't think I'm ready to let either of them go just yet!)

So onwards we go...

Alex could vaguely make out whispered voices and she strained her ears trying to make out what was being said around her. She heard her name being uttered a couple of times but her brain wouldn't cooperate too bogged down in tiredness and she tried to force the sleep from her mind that was intent on lingering. She felt like she had been hit by a large fast moving object her whole body ached and her head felt muzzy and she wondered whether she was hungover. Alex tried to remember what she had last been doing before she ended up in this weird sleep like state but her mind only drew a blank and she couldn't fathom where she was or how she had got here. Trying to open her eyes she fidgeted and groaned as her eyelids pointedly refused to cooperate and she remained staring into darkness.

Giving up after the third time of trying to open her eyes Alex just lay there and forced herself to relax, letting her body slowly wake in its own time and she tried to sense whether Piper was nearby. She couldn't hear her voice or smell her unique scent in fact all she could smell was disinfectant. Alex became disheartened realising Piper wasn't with her and she began to wonder where her love could be until the smell of bleach began to grate on her nerves. Inwardly she grumbled the smell reminded her of the hospital and she shuddered inside at the thought of those weeks she had spent recuperating after her surgery. The voices had long disappeared and Alex realised all she could now hear was a rhythmic bleeping sound which she was pretty certain wasn't her alarm clock. The constant noise irked her it was distracting and she wished someone would turn it off while she seemed incapable of doing so.

Becoming bored of waiting patiently in darkness Alex tried again to open her eyes and this time she was successful. Inwardly she cheered as a dark room slowly came into focus although it was blurred without her trademark glasses. Their was no light in the room and she reasoned that it must be the early hours of the morning judging by the shadows she could just make out on the walls. She tried to locate her glasses and as she looked around Alex realised she wasn't in her bedroom, heck she wasn't even in Piper's apartment. Slowly she began to take in more of the setting around her and as she did she realised she was back in the ICU at the hospital. This made her brain jump in alarm and she began mentally checking her body for signs of injury as she struggled to recall how she had come to be back in this room. All she seemed to remember was being at home languishing in bed with a hangover, Piper cuddling her while she slept so she could rest off the shitty cold she had been battling. Remembering the cold seemed to be the key to unlocking her brain bringing a barrage of images to Alex's mind and suddenly she remembered it all. The coughing fit, Piper's worry and horror, then the struggle to breath, gasping and chocking, and finally blacking out.

Alex released a shaky groan when she realised what must have happened and she looked around the room trying to locate Piper knowing that she wouldn't be far. Her eyes fell on a figure in the corner of the room and she smiled as her fiancée came into clearer view. Piper was fast asleep on a small looking camp bed, her limbs pulled up uncomfortably, Alex's jacket wrapped around her shoulders a blanket pulled up over her legs. She looked tired, stressed and Alex wanted to pull her up into the bed with her and ease the worry from her sleeping lover's face. Her body ached to hold Piper and she tried stretching her limbs to see if she could move immediately releasing a frustrated huff when she realised she couldn't do anything more than move her arms rather laboredly.

"Hello Alex"

Alex jumped and she turned her head to the doorway relieved when she recognised Nurse Stevens who was leaning against the doorframe smiling kindly.

"Shhh Piper's sleeping"

Her whispered voice was muffled and Alex frowned as she brought a heavy hand up to her mouth feeling curiously at the oxygen mask that was fixed to her face.

"Don't you worry I'll be quiet. It's so good to see you awake, how are you feeling?"

"Ok I think"

Alex smiled as Nurse Stevens made her way over and began a series of checks which were not to dissimilar to the ones Alex had suffered through many times after her brain surgery although this time they were slightly varied. Nurse Stevens reached out to the counter and gestured to Alex's glasses while filling a glass of water.

"Would you like a drink?"

Alex nodded eagerly and took a long drink from the proffered straw that was slipped under her oxygen mask. She sighed with relief when her glasses were securely placed onto her face and she thanked the nurse as she blinked the room coming into clearer view. When the glass had been drained and placed back on the side Alex couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.

"Can you tell me what happened? I remember blacking out at home and then nothing. How have I ended up in the ICU?"

Nurse Stevens stopped what she was doing her face becoming serious and Alex felt a twinge of worry spike in her stomach.

"You were suffering from bacterial pneumonia"

Alex's eyebrows shot up and her mouth hung open she thought she had been suffering with a common cold, at the very worst a mild chest infection, it had at no point felt like she was suffering with something as severe as pneumonia. Trying to stop her rampant thoughts she focused back to the nurse who seemed to be waiting patiently for the news to sink in and she inclined her head in a silent request to continue.

"It had ravaged your body, putting particular strain on your lungs, we ventilated you and put you into a medically induced coma while we tried to isolate the infection"

Alex could barely believe what she was being told but she sensed there was more from the look on the nurses face. She was right.

"You succumbed to toxic shock and we gave you 24 hours"

Alex wanted to laugh, she could actually feel a smirk pulling at her lips, it couldn't be, there was no way that she came that close to death and she shook her head in disbelief.

"No, no fucking way" she scoffed as she said the words surely this was all being exaggerated.

"You suffered a cardiac arrest and we had to resuscitate you"

Alex felt her blood run cold, her limbs beginning to tingle with unease. She searched the nurse's face for any sign of untruth and when she found none the truth hit her like a sledgehammer. Fuck was the only thing she could think as her brain tried to make sense of what she had been told. It had been a cough nothing more if she had felt really bad she would have surely known, would have gotten help.

A small part of her twinged with guilt the day of her hangover she had felt truly terrible and she had suspected it could have been something more, and Piper had been so worried, but she hadn't wanted to fuss. Her gaze automatically drifted to Piper and her stomach dropped if what Nurse Stevens was saying was true she felt sick at the thought of what Piper had endured. Had she been here all this time? Had she seen Alex crash, watched as they had to resuscitate her? Alex had seen enough of Piper's beloved medical dramas to picture the scene and she turned back to the nurse in desperation who was now looking at her sympathetically as if she had read her mind.

"No..."

"She witnessed it all if it wasn't for Piper I don't think you would still be alive. We couldn't get a pulse and you were about to be declared dead but she screamed and raged at you told her you weren't allowed to leave her and we tried once more"

Alex felt tears well in her eyes and she fought hard not to cry she could picture Piper clearly tears rolling down her face begging her not to leave her again. It was an image merged with the memory from the last time Alex upped and left and the thought that Piper had to relive that moment made her heart ache.

"You fought back and we managed to get the infection under control, now here we are 1 week later"

Alex felt overwhelmed, completely shell shocked, she didn't feel well her aching body feeling wrung out and drained but in no way did she feel as though she had come that close to death. Alex could barely believe it she had felt worse than this when she had woken from the brain surgery how could she have nearly died?

"1 week?"

The nurse nodded "Yes you've missed Christmas"

Alex shook her head in complete disbelief and then she smiled a low chuckle escaping her "Piper always calls me Scrooge maybe there's some truth in it when my body puts me into an ICU instead of sitting round a bloody Christmas tree"

Nurse Stevens joined in chuckling until they were interrupted by a low whimper from the corner. Piper's legs were pulled up to her chest, her body trembling as her fists clenched at the sheet underneath her. A tear ran down her stricken face and Alex felt her heart lurch at the sight. Struggling she pulled the oxygen mask away from her face and tried to move but her lethargic body wouldn't cooperate and the effort caused her chest to twinge in discomfort. Nurse Stevens frowned shaking her head and she reached out placing her hand onto her shoulder as Alex grimaced against the pain.

"No don't move I don't want you causing any unnecessary strain to your body especially considering you have only just awoken!"

Alex wanted to huff and rage but she knew it was futile when she took in the stern expression across Nurse Stevens face.

"Alex..."

The distraught whisper caused Nurse Stevens to slowly make her way over to the door and shut it quietly, she then walked towards Piper keeping her voice low and soothing.

"Piper, Piper shhh it's ok"

Piper's body still writhed trapped in her dream and she began to cry quietly her eyes clenched shut, her face creased in pain.

"No... no... please don't..."

Nurse Stevens crouched down low next to the camp bed and ran a careful hand down Piper's arm trying to rouse her gently from her nightmare. The gesture seemed familiar and Alex found herself curious "Has this happened before?"

Nurse Stevens nodded sadly "Every night since your cardiac arrest I have been waking her three or four times each shift. Sometimes she cries other times she has woken screaming hence why I have closed the door it wouldn't be the first time she has disturbed other patients. We have joked that you can obviously sleep through anything you never even flickered, oblivious to the ruckus around you"

Alex tried to smile at the nurse's attempted joke but she was too worried about Piper she wanted her love in her arms so that she could soothe her worries away.

"Please don't leave..."

Alex's stomach twisted at those words they brought back so many painful memories that she felt overwhelmed for a moment at the level of emotion that washed over her.

"Come on Piper wake up"

The nurse shook Piper's shoulder firmly and Alex let out a breath she didn't realise she had been holding when Piper's body finally lurched upwards, her limbs flailing and Nurse Stevens moved swiftly to catch her in her arms before Piper fell to the floor.

"No, no, no... She's dead... She didn't listen ... Alex!"

Piper's voice rang out hysterically her breath coming in panicked gasps and Alex tried again to sit up to comfort her but it was futile her body too stiff, her limbs too heavy.

"No Piper shhh, shhh Alex is fine, she's fine, look at me"

Nurse Stevens took Piper's face in her hands and forced her to look at her pushing her hair back from her sweat soaked forehead.

"You were dreaming again. Alex is alive, she's still here Piper everything's fine"

Piper finally seemed to snap back to her senses her eyes becoming clearer the fear and devastation receding from her features and she blushed looking down into her hands. Alex paused in her effort to move and kept quiet wanting to watch their interaction.

"God I'm so sorry crying like a child it's embarrassing. I need to get a hold of myself I know you have been fighting to allow me to stay here after the disturbances and I'm sorry I'm causing you such grief"

"I've told you before and I'll tell you again do not apologise, you love her it's understandable that your worry is seeping into your dreams"

Piper kept her head down and Nurse Stevens turned to look at Alex a coy smile on her face which Alex hesitantly returned.

"Dry your tears and make yourself presentable you need to get your backside next to that bed"

Piper chuckled but it was bitter, devoid of humour before she stood up laboredly. Stretching her lean body as she did she walked over to the bed still looking to the nurse a sarcastic smile on her face.

"Oh and who exactly am I making myself presentable for?"

"Me, I haven't seen you in 7 days you can at least try and make an effort Pipes"

Alex watched as Piper's body froze, going completely stiff, as her cocky teasing tones rang out into the room. Piper's head whipped around, her eyes wide in shock, as they seemed to search her face frantically and Alex smiled at her reassuringly stretching her right arm out stiffly, wanting nothing more than Piper in her grasp. It felt as though minutes had passed and Piper still hadn't moved causing Alex to frown slightly.

"Am I dreaming?"

Piper looked at Nurse Stevens for reassurance and she shook her head smiling in response.

"No Piper you're not dreaming"

Nurse Stevens nodded to Alex, then Piper and she slowly left the room closing the door behind her giving them their privacy. Piper just stared at the doorway for a few moments then back to Alex before she started to cry her shoulders slumping with what Alex hoped was relief but still Piper didn't move. Alex felt her arm beginning to seize up being held in its current position and she gestured as well as she could with muscles stiff from a week of inactivity.

"Come here Kid"

Wide eyed and bewildered looking Piper inched forwards and as soon as she was within touching distance Alex took her hand firmly and pulled her on to the bed letting out a relived sigh as Piper's warm weight settled against her aching body.

"Shhh don't cry, it's alright Pipes you don't need to cry anymore"

Alex ran her hand up and down Piper's back firmly, touching her reassuringly, trying to bring some comfort to her still weeping lover.

"I can't believe it"

Piper's voice whispered into her neck hesitant and uncertain and Alex squeezed her tighter.

"Yes you can I'm here and I'm alive"

"But you left me and I didn't think you would come back"

Alex's heart broke at how traumatised Piper sounded and she lifted Piper's head upwards so she could see into tear filled blue eyes.

"But I did didn't I, I'm here and I'm not going to leave you again I promise" Alex kept their gazes locked and she caressed Piper's cheek softly "I love you Kid I'd have to be pretty bloody stupid to go anywhere without you"

Piper leant into her hand her eyes still searching Alex's face until finally the tears stopped falling and a hesitant smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"Jesus I've missed you, I've missed you so much"

"Well I'm pretty certain I've missed you too"

Piper sat up and ran her hands over Alex's brow then down to her cheeks finally she took both her hands in her own rubbing her thumbs over Alex's knuckles as if to reassure herself and Alex let her eyes fall shut at the soothing sensation.

"How are you feeling?"

"Not half as bad as I think I should feel"

Piper nodded seriously and bit down on her lip worriedly.

"Hey don't look like that I'm going to be fine"

Piper tried to smile, although she still looked worried and Alex grasped at her hand squeezing tightly.

"Come on lie back down you look exhausted"

Piper chuckled weakly but she complied tucking her body against Alex's side so that they were moulded tightly together.

"You're the one in the hospital bed yet here you are fussing over me"

Alex hummed "Yeah well I'll always look after you Kid it's instinctive"

Piper giggled and placed her head in the crook of Alex's neck inhaling deeply one of her hands coming to rest on her chest and Alex knew she was seeking comfort in the steady beat of her heart.

"I still can't believe you're awake I feel like I'm dreaming, like any moment now I'll wake up and you'll still be unconscious and I'll still be anxiously waiting, hoping..."

Alex began to rub soothing circles on Piper's side trying to rub away the tension she could still feel in her muscles. Not knowing what to say and not wanting Piper to dwell on her dark thoughts Alex decided to gently steer the conversation in another direction.

"Nurse Stevens tells me I've missed Christmas"

Piper nodded against her "Yeah I'm sure you did this on purpose just so you didn't have to entertain my mother on Christmas Eve"

Alex snorted glad that Piper was joking with her the dark thoughts being pushed away for now.

"Well to be fair wine and nibbles with Carol Chapman has always been a hellish experience it's enough to give anybody a heart attack!"

Piper flinched and Alex could have kicked herself it was not usually her that suffered with foot in mouth syndrome that being a firm trait of one Piper Chapman.

"Sorry Kid you know what I mean"

Piper was quiet and Alex was just about to break the silence when Piper nudged her gently.

"I can't believe I've had to wait even longer for my present was this just a ploy? Had you not bothered to get me a gift?"

Alex sighed theatrically "You got me Pipes damn my grand plan has been unravelled"

Piper giggled tiredly and Alex turned as much as she physically could so that she could see Piper's face. Up close Alex could clearly see the strain across Piper's features there were deep black bags underlining her eyes and her face was drawn. She looked worn, exhausted and Alex felt the protective urge in her rise.

"Why don't you try and get some sleep Pipes?"

"Are you tired?"

Alex nodded slightly "I am but you also look exhausted I think you could do with putting your head down for a few hours"

Piper looked hesitant and Alex just smiled reassuringly "I'm going to be fine I'll still be here when you wake up I promise"

Alex could practically see Piper's inner conflict but eventually the tiredness won out and she nodded in agreement. Piper went to move but Alex shook her head and wrapped her arm around Piper's shoulders tightly.

"No don't move, stay" Piper went to protest but Alex shushed her softly "You will sleep better here and I feel a 100 times better with you lying next to me so stay. I think I've missed being your big spoon"

Finally Piper's body relaxed against her and Alex let out a sigh of contentment even though she had been unconscious for a week she knew deep down she had missed this feeling.

"This feels so nice"

"Nice? Just nice Kid?! I think the word you're looking for is amazing!"

Piper laughed loudly "Oh you know what I mean! Although I'm glad being unconscious for a week hasn't taken away your sense of humour"

"Never!"

They giggled together like children until they were interrupted by the door opening.

"I know you two must have missed one another but can you keep it down, just a little? I can hear you from the nurses station"

Piper nodded sheepishly and hid her face in Alex's neck covering her blushing cheeks whereas Alex just grinned not at all embarrassed.

"You need to get some sleep and Alex put that oxygen mask back on I don't want you to push yourself too hard alright?"

Alex rolled her eyes but she nodded at the nurse's words. Pressing a kiss to Piper's head she reached up with one hand and placed the oxygen mask back over her face as best she could as the door closed softly behind Nurse Stevens.

Piper raised her head then chuckled as she sat up, immediately rolling her eyes causing Alex to frown at her curiously "What?"

Smiling gently Piper untangled the oxygen mask that was caught on Alex's ear and she placed it so it was securely covering her nose and mouth.

"There, all sorted"

Alex huffed and Piper cupped at her cheek lovingly pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before she settled back into the crook of Alex's body.

"Go to sleep Al"

Alex nodded suddenly feeling a wave of tiredness wash over her and she reasoned her body was nearing its limits after her week of unconsciousness. She felt Piper cuddle into her more firmly and she tightened her grip around her love's shoulders and let her heavy eyes slide shut. This way she could almost believe they weren't at the hospital at all but instead back home in Piper's apartment in their bed.

"I love you"

"I love you too"

Piper's words were whispered tiredly and as Alex felt Piper become a dead weight she too let her body completely relax and she curled into Piper as best she could and let their combined warmth ease her into an easy sleep.