A.N I love reading your feedback and after reading for the last chapter it's interesting to see what you would like to happen and what you have enjoyed. Thank you again for the follows, the favourites and the reviews, to the people who post a review for every chapter it is massively appreciated and I can only hope you will continue to let me have your thoughts.

"I swear you are going to be the death of me or lets put it this way it's a bloody good job I'm already old and grey because this last week would have prematurely aged me if I wasn't!"

Bill was leaning tiredly against his hand while sitting in the chair next to her bed he had noticed she was awake the minute her eyelids had fluttered and Alex just smiled at him guiltily.

"I'm sorry Bill I know I've become a royal pain in the arse these past couple of months"

"I don't think I've ever seen this much of a hospital before and I'm approaching 70! It should be me with all the ailments and maladies not you you're still practically a spring chicken!"

Alex chuckled and stretched her left arm as best she could her right was still wrapped around Piper's shoulders holding her tightly as she slept on tucked into her side. Alex reached up and lifted the oxygen mask from her face pleased that her aching left arm had been up to the task without shaking too badly she had been worried that being inactive for a week might have hampered the progress she had made with her arm but so far it seemed not to be the case.

"I can't believe she's still asleep" Alex gestured with her head to Piper who was snoring gently at the side of her and Bill too looked at his daughter his face creased as he smiled sadly.

"I don't think she's had much sleep this past week if I'm honest Alex each time I've visited she's been sat glassy eyed in this chair her eyes staring forward unblinking. I haven't had much conversation out of her but I don't think her poor body could cope with the stimulation on top of such little sleep"

Alex ran a thumb over Piper's cheek lovingly her heart melting a little as Piper smiled in her sleep and cuddled closer into her body, nestling under her arm.

"Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am to have her"

"Yeah well I feel the same way about her having you. I honestly couldn't have picked a better partner for her Alex"

"Even after all this?"

Bill just scoffed "This is life it's shitty at times but at least she found the love of her life. I never believed in soul mates I always thought it was complete bollocks made up by the lovey dovey types but you and Piper just fit and I truly believe your meant to be together"

Alex blushed at Bill's words "Fuck Bill nice speech"

Bill chuckled "I'm just practising for your wedding"

"Oh please not you an all" Alex rolled her eyes as Bill continued to chuckle quietly. They sat together in comfortable silence watching Piper sleep before Bill's face became uncharacteristically serious and Alex looked at him curiously.

"Can you remember anything from the past week?"

"No nothing I remember blacking out at home and then waking up here that's it"

"None of the conversations that happened around you?"

"No"

Bill went quiet but the serious look remained on his face.

"Why should I have done?"

"No, no it's not important"

Alex could tell Bill was backtracking and her curiosity rose "Bill what is it?"

"If Piper suddenly wasn't in your life anymore what would you do?"

Alex felt herself involuntarily shiver at the thought "I don't know"

Bill looked at her intently "Honestly Bill I don't know I can't imagine my life without her now. I survived once before but I never truly moved on I tried, I really did, but no one ever seemed to match up to Piper. I try not to think about it to be honest Bill"

Bill just nodded before she shifted awkwardly in his seat "Has the nurse talked about what happened to you?"

Alex nodded "Yes... I can still scarcely believe it. I can hardly believe I came that close to not being here anymore"

"Piper called me the night they brought you back to the ICU I set off from home as soon as I had put the phone down and when I arrived I stood outside this room and watched Piper fall apart it scared me, shook me to my very core. She told me she would never ask for anything again as long as you would be ok that was all she needed. She was so childlike Alex I wanted to weep with her"

Alex felt the emotion begin to well up inside of her creeping it's way up from deep within her stomach. She watched Bill's breath hitch and she held her hand out to him wanting to ease the worry that marred his features. Bill took her hand in his and squeezed it tightly "When the doctor told us you had gone into toxic shock she crumbled, it was terrible Alex it was like the life just drained out of her and for a moment she just gave up but I told her off told her if she didn't fight for you how could you possibly do it alone"

"Well then I obviously owe you a thank you"

Bill shook his head and he ran a hand through his thinning hair tiredly "I don't want your thanks I just want you to know what happened, all the details because I know Piper won't tell you. Not because she's trying to hide it but I know she won't want you to know how desperate she was"

"Thanks Bill"

"I haven't finished yet"

Alex felt her stomach churn listening to Bill's tale so far had been difficult enough she wasn't certain she wanted to hear anymore. Piper turned in her sleep mumbling incoherently and Bill held his breath watching her intently but Piper did not wake only pressed her face into Alex's warm skin of her upper arm.

"She had fallen asleep at your bedside and I was grateful glad that she would sleep through the critical 3 hours you had been given. I was standing in the corridor when the machine wail started and I watched in disbelief as the doctor and nurse rushed in and Piper was pulled from the room. She watched through that window there as they struggled to resuscitate you and when they tried to call your time of death she erupted"

Bill's voice was becoming strained and Alex could feel her eyes beginning to burn she looked at Piper intently her features relaxed in sleep she looked so content that it was hard to imagine the hell she had obviously lived through this last week.

"It was so hard to watch Alex"

A tear slipped down Bill's cheek and Alex was at a loss as to how to comfort him "I'm sorry Bill I'm so sorry" her own voice caught with emotion and she clung to Bill's hand like it was a lifeline.

"She's my everything, always has been even though I wasn't particularly good at showing it when she was younger. She's always been my princess, my special little girl and I adore her"

Alex was a bit confused as to were Bill was going with this conversation but she nodded encouragingly sensing that Bill needed to get this off her chest.

"So I need you to treasure her, look after her and be there for her because she won't survive without you Alex so I beg you please fight this, live a long happy life and look after my daughter"

"I have no intention of doing anything else sir"

Bill still looked downcast and Alex was at a loss for how to take the worry away that he was obviously harbouring so she tried for a smile although it was slightly strained.

"But if anything does happen she can always trade me in for a younger model maybe Ruby Rose is available I'm sure she would keep her happy for ever"

Alex chuckled but it fell to nothing as Bill's expression never changed in fact his eyes became slightly stormy and Alex faltered torn between wanting to apologise and wanting to tell Bill to lighten up.

"Come on Bill I'm only joking"

"Piper told you, as you lay flat lining in that bed, that if you left her again she was going to step out of this hospital and into the path of the next moving vehicle she was so adamant that she wasn't being left behind again"

Alex's mouth fell open and she felt her eyes bulge in shock. Her arm tightened around Piper involuntarily her blood running cold at the image that crept unwillingly into her mind at Bill's words. Piper's broken beaten body, eyes open, unfocused and lifeless lying on cold tarmac.

"Seems even in your unconscious state you were listening those words obviously gave you the kick up the arse you needed"

The tears fell unchecked down Alex's cheeks she felt overwhelmed her brain and heart buzzing overflowing with emotion. Bill was watching her carefully and she couldn't hold back the sob that erupted as her body trembled and shook.

"Oh Alex I didn't mean to upset you I just want you to know how much she loves and needs you please don't cry"

Bill reached up and grabbed a tissue from the table at the end of the bed and he wiped at her cheeks while placing a kiss to the top of her head.

"I'll fucking kill her when she wakes up"

Bill laughed through his own tears and they cried together for a few more minutes until Bill wiped his face and stood back.

"Right enough tears there has been far too many this week for my liking"

Alex nodded wiping at her cheeks with her hand whilst trying not to move too much.

"Hey I've just noticed your stutter seems to have eased"

Alex smiled she hadn't noticed either but now she thought about it she wasn't tripping over her t's when she talked and the realisation only made her smile wider.

"Maybe that's what my brain needed a weeks long sleep to finally heal!"

"Or it just needed a break from talking you would never have been able to do that while conscious it would kill Piper not being able to talk to you!"

They continued to talk about happier topics Bill cracking jokes telling tales about his friends and after a good hour of not stop chatter Bill finally stood up stretching his back.

"Right well I'm going to go and get myself a coffee you can wake sleeping beauty while I'm gone"

When Bill had left the room Alex leaned over and pressed a kiss to Piper's lips watching as Piper's face scrunched adorably before her eyes fluttered open, her baby blue eyes lighting up as she looked up at Alex.

"Hey"

"Hey yourself"

Piper stretched but she did not move wrapping her arm around Alex's waist she raised her head upwards leaning on Alex's chest.

"Your dads here we didn't think you were going to wake up at all"

Piper chuckled sleep still evident in her husky tones "I think I needed the rest"

"Do you feel better this morning?"

Piper lifted her head up and beamed at Alex her face a picture of happiness "I feel a bit sick and groggy I think it's tiredness. But seeing you awake, I can't describe how happy I am right now"

Piper stroked a gentle finger down her cheek and her smile faltered slightly as her expression became curious "Have you been crying?"

The weight of Bill's earlier words came rushing back and Alex struggled to tamper down the urge to scold Piper for her actions while she was unconscious knowing that they born from desperation.

"Me and your dad had a moment we're ok now though you don't need to worry"

Alex made sure to smile reassuringly and she was glad to see the worry quickly disappear from Piper's face.

"Was he telling you what you missed at Christmas because I know how devastated you are to have missed a Chapman holiday"

Alex laughed loudly and tickled at Piper playfully "Oh I'm gutted you have no idea how much I'm trying to hold back tears here"

"Well it's alright we'll have a belated Christmas when you get to come home. Has the nurse been in yet this morning?"

"Yes she's really happy with my progress and apparently the worst is over I should be able to come home in a few days"

Piper smiled wildly and wrapped her fingers with Alex's squeezing tightly "Good I'll speak with Nurse Stevens later see what she has to say"

"Have you been home at all this past week?"

Piper averted her eyes and played with Alex's fingers not giving her an answer.

"Piper..."

"No I couldn't leave Al, I just couldn't"

Alex wanted to scold her but hearing the honesty in Piper's voice stopped her in her tracks. she knew if it had been her in the same position she would have fought tooth and nail to remain by Piper's side as well.

"Well then why don't you go home for the afternoon have one of your famously long baths then you can come back later if you really want to"

"No I don't want to"

Alex sighed "Pipes I'm going to be fine here for a few hours on my own, i'll probably just sleep anyway, it will give you a chance to recharge a little bit. I can only imagine how hard this has been for you"

Before Piper could answer the door opened and Bill came in clutching a large Starbucks coffee cup in each hand and he smiled when he saw that Piper was awake.

"Good morning darling here you go"

"Thank you daddy"

Piper sat upright and took the cup from Bill's hand and cradled it between her palms. Alex though would not be deterred from her previous thought and she turned to Bill who had sat back down into the armchair at the side of her.

"Bill can you take this one home for a few hours?"

Alex could feel Piper's glare burning into her but she ignored her instead waiting for Bill to answer who was looking between them anxiously.

"I can if that's what you want Piper"

"Please Kid do this for me I'm worried about you"

Alex knew she was playing on Piper's emotions but she really was worried about her she looked so worn out and Alex just wanted her to be able to relax for a few hours away from the hospital.

"Nothing's going to happen and even if something did the nurse's would call you straight away and you could be back here within half an hour"

"Alex is right darling she's out of the woods now she'll be perfectly fine here and I can come back after I've dropped you off and then come and pick you back up that way she won't even be on her own for very long"

Alex watched as Piper's expression changed from defiance to reluctant acceptance her face was unsmiling though and Alex wanted that to change.

"Hey I love you ok? And I'll be right here waiting for you ready to give you a cuddle when you're nice and clean and no longer smell of eau du hospital"

Piper rolled her eyes but a small smile crept across her lips and Alex nodded to Bill.

"Well that settles it drink your coffee then you can get changed and go be a mermaid in your ridiculously large tub and relax"

"That bath tub is massive isn't it! I thought she had gone mad when it had arrived but she swears it's one of the best things I ever bought her"

"I've found myself agreeing with her Bill its fits us both in there quite nicely"

Alex winked and chuckled as Bill just shook his head and Piper rolled her eyes at the gentle teasing. Piper got up a few minutes later pressed a kiss to Alex's lips and headed to the camp bed picking up her bag of clothes before she made her way to the door "I'm just going to go and get changed"

As soon as Piper left Bill turned to look at Alex worriedly "Have you told her about what I said?"

Alex shook her head "No I don't want her to think about it anymore"

Bill looked relieved "Well done on persuading her to go home I've been trying all week"

"Well now I'm awake there's no reason why she cannot nip home. Just try not to bring her back to early I know she's stubborn but I really do want her to get some rest"

Bill laughed "I'll try but I can't promise anything you know what she's like!"

"You can stay with her I don't need you to come back Bill its not worth the numerous car journeys, honestly I'll be fine"

Bill looked hesitant but Alex was insistent "honestly stop looking so worried I'm not going anywhere I'll still be here when you get back!"

Alex smiled happily as she looked around the new room she was glad to be out of the ICU this room was significantly less depressing and she was pleased that she had been placed on the same ward as when she last been in this hospital. At least the nurses in here where familiar faces and it was making her second stay in a hospital bed slightly more bearable. The doctor had been and checked her over after listening to her chest he had been immensely pleased with her progress and had quickly decided that there was no need for her to remain on oxygen. Alex had been ecstatic when he had said she would be released in the next couple of days if she continued to progress the way she was. Alex found she couldn't wait for Piper to come back so that she could tell her the good news.

The door opened and Alex's smile faltered slightly when a familiar young junior nurse popped her head around the door.

"Hi Alex! Nurse Stevens said you were back"

Alex almost rolled her eyes you would think she had returned to a hotel the way Sarah spoke and she grimaced.

"Are you feeling ok do you need any pain relief?"

Alex had to hold in a laugh obviously her discomfort had shown on features and she shook her head letting a wry grin cross her face.

"No thanks Sarah I'm fine"

Sarah continued to beam at her happily and Alex began to feel slightly uncomfortable "Was there anything you needed Sarah?"

The young girl seemed to grasp hold of herself and she shook her head quickly "No no sorry I just wanted to say hello so er Hi and I'll er see you later"

When the door closed Alex let out a relieved sigh for a moment she thought she was going to be in for a long hour of inane conversation. For a while she sat and relaxed with the television playing softly in the background and she closed her eyes listening to one of the music channels. Noises could be heard from the corridor and she frowned as they seemed to be getting louder there was a loud bang and then loud voices and Alex rolled her eyes you would think people could at least show some consideration in a hospital ward.

"Alex Vause?! Where is she?"

Bill's voice echoed loudly and Alex frowned at his hard tone and the underlying panic she could hear in his voice. There were loud footsteps then her door was wrenched open and Alex just raised her eyebrows in confusion as Bill barrelled in his actions fraught.

"No come on in Bill please don't wait outside"

Alex smiled but it was like Bill was frozen and she waited getting steadily more concerned before Bill suddenly relaxed collapsing into the chair at the side of her.

"Ok what the hell is going on with you?"

Bill didn't answer he just shook his head wearily running a shaking hand over his face.

"Bill you're fucking scaring me what is it?"

The door opened again and Nurse Stevens came in slightly out of breath and dishevelled.

"We've put her in the other private room Mr Chapman she'll be fine. It will have been a combination of stress, exhaustion and shock. I've attached her to a drip to keep her fluids up and I think it's best if we just let her sleep"

Alex's head whipped around her neck clicking in the process and she narrowed her eyes at Nurse Stevens "Piper?"

"Yes I'm sorry Alex I thought ..." Nurse Stevens trailed of looking from Bill to Alex worriedly.

"What's happened?" She didn't care who told her or how but she wanted to know exactly what had happened to Piper and she wanted to know now.

"We went up to ICU and when we got there you weren't there. One of the porters was clearing the bedding away and he couldn't tell us what had happened. Next thing she was on the floor I couldn't catch her in time, she must have presumed the worst"

"It will have been a combination of stress and exhaustion Alex she will be perfectly fine"

Alex looked between the nurse and Bill her worry not abdicating in the slightest and she pushed the covers back from her body and swung her legs over the side.

"Get me a chair"

"Alex there's nothing you can do you heard the nurse she's sleeping. You don't want to cause yourself unnecessary strain"

Alex turned to Nurse Stevens imploringly ignoring Bill's words "Please?"

The nurse hesitated for a moment but Alex raised her chin defiantly she was not going to take no for an answer. Eventually Nurse Stevens nodded although she did not look particularly happy.

"Ok I'll be back for you in a moment"

When she left Alex turned to back to Bill who looked exhausted "Bill go home you look dead on your feet and you heard the nurse she'll be fine"

"Oh then why are you insistent on getting out of this bed then hmm?"

"Because I need her to know that I'm here and that I haven't left her because God knows what'll be going on in that head of hers after seeing that empty bed"

Bill nodded solemnly and he handed Alex Piper's bag "I want you to ring me the second there is any change ok?" Alex nodded "I need to ring Carol and let her know. I'll go back to Piper's apartment that way I'm not too far from here"

Bill stood and pressed a kiss to Alex's cheek "You promise you'll call me?"

Alex nodded "Of course I will"

Bill still looked hesitant but when Nurse Stevens appeared at the door wheelchair in hand Alex nodded at him and gestured with her hand.

"I'll speak to you later Bill ok?"

Nurse Stevens smiled at Bill as he left before she turned back to Alex her face turning more severe.

"Right then let's get you into this chair and we'll go and see your fiancee"

"See Alex she's perfectly fine the saline drip is just to keep her hydrated and its just a case of her body needs to rest. Piper's just pushed herself that little too hard it's understandable with everything that's been going on and it happens to the best of us"

"She looks stressed even in her sleep"

Alex reached out and took Piper's hand firmly in her own being careful to avoid the needle securing the drip strapped to her skin. Slowly she rubbed her thumb back and forth across Piper's knuckles hoping the contact would soothe and comfort her love even though she knew it was futile. Alex felt a lump appear in her throat she felt guilty knowing Piper was sat in this bed due to her and her alone.

Nurse Stevens smiled at her sympathetically and she placed a hand on her shoulder squeezing it softly.

"I'm sure she'll feel better now that you're here"

Alex just looked at her incredulously she did not appreciate the mollycoddling knowing the nurse was just trying to ease her fears.

"Yeah how? She's not going to know I'm here she's out of it"

"Well you knew when Piper was in the room"

Nurse Stevens face was stern and Alex looked at her curiously, she couldn't remember anything from her unconscious periods. People had before talked of remembering conversations that had happened around them while in a coma or whatever but this had not happened for Alex time had passed as if she had just been sleeping.

"Your vitals always spiked whenever she came back into the room and took your hand or lent against you as she slept. It always made me smile I don't think I've ever met a couple so in tune with one another"

Alex turned her head away feeling embarrassed a faint blush creeping over her face and when she answered her voice sounded gruff with emotion "Yeah well I love her"

"It's why I overruled hospital policy and let her stay here I knew if anything was going to improve your recovery time it was having Piper right along side you"

Nurse Stevens squeezed her shoulder once more before she turned to the door.

"Push the buzzer if you need anything and I mean anything Alex pain relief, water you name it I'll come with it. I do not want you putting your own health at risk and neither would Piper do you hear me?"

Alex fought the urge to roll her eyes at the nurse's fussing instead she nodded knowing that Piper and herself had a lot to be grateful for from this particular nurse.

Once Alex was certain the door was firmly closed she scooted the wheelchair further up the side of the bed so that she was as close as she could be to Piper's face.

"Hey Kid it's me, I'm ok I had just been moved to another bed that's all alright? I'm back in the ward I was last time but it's a different room. Still anything's better than the ICU"

Alex kept talking keeping her gaze fixed on the hand in her own she felt like an idiot and she wondered how often Piper had sat at her bedside talking to her unconscious form.

"So you need to just relax and get some sleep and I'll be here waiting when you wake up"

Alex lifted Piper's hand up to her mouth pressing her lips to her palm lovingly struggling to hold back the urge to cry. She had never seen Piper in a situation like this and it was scaring her. In that moment she was incredibly glad that it was her who had endured the tumour and all its complications because right now she didn't think she could have coped if it had been the other way round. It was a sobering thought and Alex realised just how strong and amazing Piper had been throughout all this process from her operation to the rehab supporting her with her speech and her struggle to walk.

Nurse Stevens came back in about an hour later and after Alex had outrightly refused to return to her bed she had helped move Alex from the wheelchair to the large chair that Nurse Stevens kindly pulled up to the bedside. Now Alex was snoozing quietly still with her arm firmly stretched out her fingers tangled with Piper's and she could feel herself beginning to give in to the urge to sleep.

Just as she was beginning to drift off Alex felt Piper's fingers twitch in her hold and she opened one eye and squinted down at their joined hands. It happened again and Alex sat up trying to shake the sleep from her mind as she focused on Piper's twitching body. She knew from experience that Piper was going to wake in moments and she rubbed at her eyes and stretched as best she could trying to seem a bit more awake. Slowly Piper's eyes fluttered open and Alex watched as her eyes flitted back and forth looking around the room before her gaze landed on Alex her forehead creasing with confusion and sadness.

"Alex? But how?"

"Shh Kid"

"But-"

"No you're not seeing things"

Alex shook her head cutting Piper off before she could even begin wanting to nip this in the bud swiftly before Piper became upset.

"I have been moved on to the normal ward that's why I wasn't there ok? I'm here and I'm alive I've not left I'm right here"

Alex squeezed Piper's hand tightly in her own and brought it up to her chest resting it against were her heart was beating strongly. She smiled gently her smile becoming wider as her words seemed to have the desired effect as Piper's expression turned to one of pure joy.

"You had me worried for a moment there"

Piper groaned and brought a hand up to her face "I feel like such an idiot"

Alex lifted their joined hands and pressed a kiss to Piper's knuckles.

"Don't be embarrassed you're burnt out Nurse Stevens says your body had just had enough so you need to relax ok and let yourself get some much needed rest"

Piper nodded her face still sheepish and Alex chuckled tickling at her side playfully "And you call me a drama queen"

Piper laughed sleepily and Alex felt the worry begin to drain away from her body now that she could see that Piper was ok. Piper just continued to gaze at her adoringly until she frowned "Should you even be out of bed!?"

"Probably not but I don't think anyone was going to try and stop me"

Piper rolled her eyes "I'm fine"

"Yeah well I needed to see with my own two eyes and before you start the reason you're in this bed is because you have been too busy worrying over me instead of looking after yourself"

Piper scowled at her gentle scolding and she pointed to Alex as she sat in her chair.

"Yeah pot kettle ..."

Alex laughed "We make a right pair don't we"

Piper smiled her gaze becoming tired and Alex leaned forwards running a hand down Piper's face soothingly.

"Go back to sleep you need it"

"Yeah well I could say the same to you"

"I'm going to sleep right here I'll be fine ok now get some rest"

Piper looked at her and Alex raised her eyebrow she was not backing down on this one she was not leaving this bedside until Piper was firmly asleep.

"I love you"

"I love you too now sleep"

Piper closed her eyes and snuggled back down into the covers just as Alex thought she was drifting off Piper mumbled under her breath tiredly.

"Make sure you don't cramp up in that chair it won't do that leg any good"

Alex just smiled and pressed another kiss to their joined hands and she watched closely as Piper finally succumbed to sleep her body relaxing her breathing evening out.

In that moment she felt incredibly lucky to have such a wonderfully dedicated loving partner and something clicked in her mind a thought she had never really entertained before suddenly made complete sense. She would provide Piper with her wish, she would make this brilliant, caring woman her wife.

A.N I hope you enjoyed :)

RJVause in your last review you mentioned you would like Piper and Alex to have a belated Christmas. It was an idea that hadn't crossed my mind but after you (+ guest) mentioned it I will try and incorporate it into a future chapter as a thank you for your continued support :)