A.N Well everybody I think we are now nearing the end of this story, unfortunately I have another exam to take and I don't want this tale to become an unfinished piece because I just don't think I'll be able to dedicate enough time to continue on like I had originally hoped. I hope you enjoy this chapter, there will be a couple more after this one I think to tie up loose ends and I really hope you stay with me right until the last moment!

Enjoy!

"Hey love it's me, call me when you get this, love you"

"Hey me again are you getting my texts? If so it's not like you to leave me hanging Miss Vause! My nerves are all over the place this morning so give me a call when you can, love you"

"Al can you ring me soon please? Just sat waiting for James to finally come and collect me for the book signing. Hopefully speak soon"

"Nicky its Piper, can you call me back when you get this? Please, I can't get through to Alex and I just want to make sure everything went alright with the consultant"

"Alex can you ring me as soon as you can please? I've got to go into a meet and greet soon and I really wanted to speak with you before I left"

"Hi Daddy I can't seem to get through to your phone when you hear this message can you call me back please? Thanks"

"Alex please call me back I know I'm fussing but I can't help it I'm worried please?"

Piper fell back heavily onto the hotel bed and struggled to tamper down her fear. She was currently in Chicago on the third day of her promotional tour and she was a bag of nerves. Alex's results had been delayed and now she found herself in the situation she had desperately hoped she would avoid. Alone away from home and waiting for news that could potentially change their lives missing Alex to the point of distraction. Piper had been furious when Dan had called Alex announcing the delay everything had been signed, she couldn't back out of the promotions tour without breaking her contract and the monetary implication had been to great to ignore. Alex had been incredibly sheepish in the days running up to her leaving knowing it was down to her insistence that she now had to go and Piper had struggled against the urge to rage at her. She had been beginning to really look forward to her tour but now it was marred with the figurative black cloud that was hanging over her head and today her stomach was in knots.

Alex should have received the results at 11 this morning it was now half past one her time and she had still not heard anything she was only an hour behind New York and she had hoped to have heard something by now. Nobody was answering their phones she had tried Alex, Nicky, her dad even the consultants office and she was now beginning to panic. Piper had thrown herself into the book signing this morning trying to push her nerves to the back of her mind it had worked and she had managed to appear normal and engaged to the adoring fans that had waited patiently to meet her. She had one more interview this afternoon and then she was done for the day and Piper didn't know what to do with herself. Dialling Alex's number one more time Piper groaned aloud when it went straight to voicemail and she cancelled the call this time without leaving a message.

A knock sounded on her door and Piper stood up wearily, checking through the spy hole she relaxed when she saw it was her minder. Opening the door she smiled hesitantly at the young man who had been assigned to look after her while she was travelling. James had been a god send a young trainee he was helpful and courteous and she enjoyed his easy going demeanour. She had been relieved when she had met him pleased that one of the stuffy uptight publishing agents had not been assigned to accompany her.

"Hello Miss Chapman"

"Hi James do we need to leave soon?"

He nodded and Piper set about gathering her belongings and placing them into her handbag. She checked her phone one last time letting out a small sigh when it showed no messages before she placed it into her bag.

"Still no news?"

James looked at her sympathetically as Piper shook her head. She had been stressed and snappy when they had began in New York for the first interview and James had bore the brunt of her frustration. After explaining her situation the young helper had been supportive and sympathetic and she found he was trying to make the whole process run as smoothly as possible and for that she was grateful.

"Alex has probably been delayed you know what they're like in hospitals they have you waiting around for hours!"

Piper tried to smile as she nodded but she couldn't Dan was her father's friend and being paid a lot of money there is no way he would leave Alex waiting for hours on end not when he knew how important this was to the both of them.

"If you leave me with your phone I'll answer it if it rings and let you know any news as soon as I can. That way you don't have to worry about missing the important call"

Piper smiled at him gratefully he was trying and for that she couldn't thank him enough. Handing her phone to James she pulled her bag over her shoulder and waited patiently as he excused himself to take a call.

"Right our car's here shall we go?"

Piper took a deep breath and tried to relax they were on their way to do a radio interview and she needed to relax. Just before she left she sent up a silent prayer hoping that she would receive the call she was waiting for before she returned to the hotel that evening.

"The next flight to Chicago leaves in an hour shall I book you a seat?"

Alex nodded to the cheerful airline receptionist at the check in desk and reached for her credit card once the flight was booked and she had been checked in Alex turned to Nicky her stomach churning with nerves.

"It's all gonna be ok Vause once you see Chapman everything will be fine"

Alex smiled shakily and she gave Nicky a one armed hug.

"Thanks for everything today Nic I honestly don't think I could have got through it alone"

Nicky cleared her throat and she clutched Alex's shoulders tightly for a brief few moments before she pushed her away chuckling.

"Alright Stretch steady on we've had enough emotional moments today to last us a lifetime"

Alex smiled and wiped at her eyes and she hitched her bag up on to her shoulder so that it was secured firmly.

"I'm going to have to go Nic"

"Alright, listen are you going to be ok on your own and don't shout at me for asking"

Alex nodded her face serious and she kept her face neutral as Nicky scrutinised her.

"Ok then off you go and don't worry my phone is still firmly switched off to one Piper Chapman I won't be breaking any news to your fiancée anytime soon"

"Thanks Nic I just, well I just need to tell her to her face I don't want her hearing this over the phone. Can you let Bill know I managed to get a flight and ask him to keep rejecting Piper's calls until he hears from me as well?"

Bill wasn't particularly happy with her plan but after much begging on Alex's part he had reluctantly agreed not to answer any calls from his only daughter.

"Alright but text me the minute you have spoken to her ok? I'll be waiting"

Alex nodded and gave Nicky one last hug before she made her way through security and to the gate to board her flight. Once she was settled in her seat Alex felt her nerves reappear although she tried hard to push them away. She hoped Piper wouldn't be too mad at Alex's decision at making her wait for the news that had and would change their lives but she really wanted, no needed to hold Piper in her arms. The planes engine roared into life and Alex put her headphones into her ears and tried to get comfortable for the two hour flight she was now undertaking to see her love.

"Darling I'm sure everything was fine she's probably just still stuck sorting paperwork at the hospital. Alex will be in contact as soon as she can"

Piper nodded trying to take comfort in her mother's words that were given to her almost offhandedly but she was trying to be grateful that for once her mother had actually listened to her worries and not immediately discounted her concerns.

"Anyway enough about Alex how's the tour coming along?"

Piper rolled her eyes and struggled not to snap at her mother for her scathing dismissal of her fiancée instead she took a deep breath and tried to answer calmly.

"It's going well mum I've just finished a radio interview then tomorrow it's another meet and greet at one of the department stores"

"Oh darling how wonderful! It's so great to be able to tell people what you do now that you're becoming so successful. At least your professional life is coming on leaps and bounds"

Piper bit down on her lip and just hummed in reply repeating the mantra in her head that her mother would never change and that she didn't really want to kill her. Eventually the urge to physically harm her mother passed and Piper forced herself to concentrate on her mother's words which were still echoing out of her phone.

"Sorry what was that?"

"I was just saying I cannot believe Cal is still intent on having a wedding in the woods like some sort of hillbilly! At least Danny had the good grace and sense to have a normal affair that was not going to be the laughing stock of the town. Honestly sometimes I wonder what we did wrong with you and Cal"

"There's nothing wrong with me or Cal"

Piper's voice was cool as ice, her tone warning but Carol just tittered into the phone "Oh darling you know I don't mean it horribly I just worry that you're making the wrong decision in life"

"Can't you just be happy knowing that I'm happy? I love Alex and I'm going to spend the rest of my life being happy with her"

"Hmm, well for as long as she's got I suppose"

Her mother's words cut her deeply playing on her already worried mind and Piper bit her lip against the urge to cry.

"That's not fair Mum"

Although the tears had been successfully kept at bay she couldn't stop the tremble in her voice and she immediately winced hating that her mother could cause her this much hurt with just a few ill thought words.

"Oh Piper don't cry I didn't mean it I'm sure you will receive the news you are hoping for"

Carol's tone was dismissive as though Piper's worries were trivial and unjustified. The tears banished at hearing her mother's callousness and instead Piper could feel her temper begin to rapidly bubble under the surface.

"I've got to go mother I'll speak to you soon"

"Piper I'm s-"

Piper ended the call and brought her hands up to her mouth holding in the urge to scream she let herself fall back into the chair in the radio station reception room and tried to wait patiently for James to return. Checking the phone in her hand once again she clenched her fingers around the hard plastic tightly when the display still showed no missed calls or messages. Taking a deep breath she let her head fall back and tried to will away the frustration from speaking with her mother. Carol Chapman had managed to drag her biggest fear to the forefront of her mind and now she was alone stressed and desperately struggling to push that awful fear away.

The seatbelt light flicked on over her head and Alex reluctantly took out her headphones and fastened her seatbelt securely. Flying had never really been her thing even with the numerous trips she had taken by in her drug smuggling days she still did not find it particularly enjoyable, even more so, without Piper by her side. Piper always laughed at her uneasiness telling her she was being daft and had nothing to worry about while grinning at her, her own excitement shining brightly. Even when they had taken their first trip after being released from Litchfield Piper had still been childlike in her wonder when they had boarded that first flight from New York and Alex had almost laughed at how, in some ways, even after so many years Piper hadn't changed at all. She still insisted on sitting in the window seat something which Alex happily complied with. during take off and landings Alex kept her eyes firmly shut not wanting to see the plane leave or arrive on the tarmac runways. Piper however always had her face pressed to the window talking a mile a minute about which sights she could see and trying unsuccessfully to get Alex to take a look. If they hit turbulence Alex's hand always automatically sought out Piper's and her love would always smile sympathetically and squeeze her hand reassuringly, any previous teasing falling away. She would distract her reciting passages from books or poetry until the motion passed and Alex's nerves had eased.

Alex could feel the plane slowly descending and she closed her eyes tightly wishing her blonde haired love was sat by her side her head resting on her shoulder as she cuddled into her. Alex felt a well of emotion build in her chest her arms aching with the need to wrap Piper into a tight embrace. Even though it had only been three days Alex had struggled being apart from Piper especially with the appointment looming and she had found it really difficult going to sleep alone in what she now knew as their bed. Each night Alex had phoned Piper and asked about her day they had chatted and laughed until Piper had started to yawn betraying her tiredness. Piper was always reluctant to put the phone down and so each night Alex had read to her over the phone until the gentle snores of her love had made her smile warmly and she had whispered good night before hanging up and settling down herself. After today and the emotional roller coaster she had endured Alex just needed Piper nothing else was going to soothe her frazzled nerves and she found herself feeling almost sick with impatience.

Lost in her thoughts Alex snapped her eyes open as someone opened the luggage locker over her head and she unbuckled herself and stood up quickly slightly disorientated when she realised they had already landed. Throwing her bag over her shoulder Alex as quickly as she could with one crutch made her way of the plane and into the airport terminal turning her phone off flight mode as she did. Quickly she googled the phone number of the hotel Piper was staying in and brought the phone up to her ear. Alex had a plan and she only hoped it would be appreciated.

"Ms Chapman are you ready to go?"

Piper nodded tiredly but she smiled as James watched her nervously "James I've told you call me Piper"

"I know Ms Chapman"

Piper just laughed as she followed her assistant out to the car and she quickly slid her aching body across the leather seats and settled by the window. James inclined his head to the driver and they set off through the busy streets Piper watching the world pass her by not really taking in the sights she would usually be so interested in seeing.

"Did you hear from Alex?"

Piper shook her head sadly glad when James did not continue she really did not want to talk not after the conversation with her mother. All she wanted to do was get back to her hotel room, curl up under the duvet and let out the tears that had been threatening to escape all day.

When they arrived in the hotel foyer the receptionist gestured them over and Piper tiredly fixed a smile on her face as the receptionist gestured to them warmly.

"Miss Chapman I'm so sorry but we've had a complication with your room"

Piper felt her stomach drop but she kept the fake smile firmly in place across her cheeks trying not to take her days stress out on the poor unsuspecting woman in front of her who was just trying to do her job.

"We have packed up your things and taken them to room 401 I apologise for the inconvenience"

Piper nodded accepted the offered keycard, said thanks through gritted teeth and stalked towards the lift stabbing angrily at the button.

"Ms Chapman I'll be here at 10 tomorrow morning we need to be at Warehouse for 11 so that we have plenty of time to get organised"

"Thanks James"

Th young man smiled at her softly as she stepped into the lift.

"I hope you hear from Alex soon Ms Chapman"

Piper's smile faltered and she was glad when the lift doors closed. For a moment in the privacy of the lift she let her facade crumble and the tears build in her eyes. She wanted Alex so badly it was burning like an ache deep inside of her all she wanted was to wrap herself in the long arms of her love. Shaking her head she reasoned she was being stupid she had only been gone three days and there was plenty of reasons nobody had phoned her yet. Even if in that moment none of those reasons were making an appearance to soothe her nerves. The lift reached its intended floor and as the doors opened Piper strode determinedly forward thanking an old couple who stepped to the side letting her pass. Heading down the long corridor Piper finally came to room 401 and she hitched her bag onto her shoulder as she slid her key card into the door. Thankfully the door opened instantly and she practically fell across the threshold the days tiredness catching up with her.

Piper let out a gasp of surprise as she opened her eyes fully surveying the sight in front of her. The room was beautiful it was obviously a superior suite the bed was an ornate king sized four poster bed and Piper let out a contended sigh she could hardly wait to sink into its comforting depths. Slowly she placed her bag down onto the vintage dressing table and slipped off her shoes. Walking over to the window Piper marvelled at the view she could see the bright lights of the city, the skyline a view to die for and she let out a smile at least she had received some good fortune today. So engrossed she didn't hear the bathroom door click open and the first she knew she was no longer alone was when her favourite husky tones whispered down her ear.

"You enjoying the view Kid?"

Piper froze, her muscles tensing, firmly believing her mind was playing tricks on her. Slowly she turned around and when her eyes took in the sight of her dark haired lover grinning at her widely she let out a girlish squeal.

"Alex!"

Alex laughed loudly as Piper threw herself into her lover's arms squeezing her tightly while she nuzzled into Alex's neck the tension in her body easing at the familiar comforting scent.

"Oh my god Alex what, I mean, how-"

Alex chuckled and pressed a kiss to her lips effectively cutting off her rambling. Piper hummed contentedly into the kiss until her brain began to race a mile a minute and she found that her blood ran cold. Pulling back so that she could see Alex's face Piper kept a tight hold of Alex's shoulders the emotion beginning to build in her throat almost suffocating her.

"What's the matter?"

"I know why you're here..."

Piper's voice trailed off as her voice welled with emotion she could feel the tears pricking her ears the urge to sob rising in her throat. Before she had left for her trip Alex had said if the results weren't positive she would join her on her promotional whirlwind so that they did not waste a second of their remaining time together. Having Alex in her arms now brought that reality crashing into her and she searched Alex's gorgeous green eyes for confirmation that she was right.

Alex lifted her hand and wiped at the tear that had managed to escape its confines before she cupped Piper's chin with her hand and smiled gently her whole face relaxing.

"I've got the all clear Kid"

Piper just stared at her in shock, she heard the words that were spoken, her ears registering the noise but her brain couldn't make sense of the words that were not what she was expecting.

"The surgery, the radiotherapy it worked there are no more cancer cells lurking in my brain or anywhere else"

Alex pressed her lips to her forehead, her nose then her lips.

"I'm yours for as long as you'll have me"

This time when the tears fell they were ones of pure joy and Piper laughed loudly the relief that washed over her body temporarily overwhelming her.

"I love you, oh Alex I love you so much"

"I know Pipes, I love you too"

Tears fell steadily down her cheeks she felt completely overwhelmed with happiness and she watched in adoration as Alex smiled gently and wiped at her cheeks.

"I'm sorry I didn't answer the phone this morning"

"I tried Nicky and my dad too"

Alex smiled sheepishly "I told them not to answer I wanted to tell you face to face you deserved that Kid"

"I've missed you so much" Piper blushed at the admission she felt silly saying it aloud it had only been three days and she knew Alex would scoff.

Surprisingly Alex said nothing she cupped her cheek and smiled at her softly her eyes crinkling.

"I've missed you too Pipes sleeping in that bed on my own isn't nice I won't be making a habit of it if I have my way"

Piper smiled hopefully at Alex as she took in her words "Does that mean you're staying with me?"

"Hell yes who do you think organised the fancy room upgrade" Alex winked and Piper laughed before her face became serious once more "I'm going to travel with you while you finish your book tour my physical rehab only starts again in 2 weeks so I'm as free as a bird until then"

"I feel like I just want to scream"

Alex looked at her curiously and Piper grinned widely "Honestly Al I'm just so fucking happy"

Alex smiled at her words and pressed a kiss to her lips causing Piper to him with pleasure. When they finally broke apart Alex quirked her eyebrow and smirked.

"Shall we go test out the jacuzzi bath tub have a little relaxing celebration?"

Piper moaned in delight and allowed herself to be dragged into the bathroom her earlier tiredness disappearing entirely at the thought of a hot bath with one naked Alex Vause.

A.N Alex Vause is a fighter if anyone was going to take on that bitch of a disease and win it had to be her. I hope the outcome has pleased you all :)