A/N: So I had to rework the chapters a little bit, because I thought that this was a moment that was needed. I know this should have been the Fahri chapter, but that's coming. Thank you all for the comments, reviews, favorites and follows!

"You better have a good reason that you haven't called me in so long."

"Pol, hi."

"You big lesbian. How are you? Where are you?"

"Cambodia. In a villa. On the beach. I'm okay, how are you?"

"Pete is driving me nuts, it's the winter here and I'm freezing my tits off. So, pretty shitty."

"Polly, I need to ask you a favor."

"Of course you can stay with me."

"How-How did you know I was coming back?"

"Because you're my bestie. Of course I know. Plus, I figured if Supercunt was coming back you'd just be staying with her. So I'm assuming she's not. Are you okay? Is this an 'I-told-you-so' moment?"

"We're all good. Great, actually. But she's got an extended job for work, and I kind of want to come home for a few weeks."

"Piper, are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm okay. Promise."

"So when do you come?"

"Tomorrow night. I'll take a car to your place. Don't worry." Piper heard the stream of water stop from the bathroom.

"Can't wait to see you!"

"Love you, brat."

"Bye, lesbian."

Piper threw her phone somewhere on the bed. 'Well, that's settled. I really don't want to leave Alex alone through all of this. What if something happens to her? How will I know?'

Alex came sauntering out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her body, but just barely covering it. One tendril of hair was hanging out of the towel that held her hair.

"How did it go with Holly?" Alex asked with a wink and a smirk.

"Good. Told her I'm coming home for a bit; she said it wasn't a problem to stay with her." Piper responded.

"I'm glad you'll be somewhere safe." Alex pulled the towel off her head and rubbed her hair dry. "So, what do you want to do for the rest of the day?"

"Let's walk on the beach. Or just lay in the bed with me." Piper attempted her best pout.

"How about a little bit of shopping first? Then the beach? We'll go wherever you want for dinner, and we'll cap it off all night in bed." Alex leaned down and placed her lips on Piper's.

"Sounds perfect."

After a few minutes, and a few quick swats to Piper's hands from roaming all over Alex's body, both women were ready to go. On the way out of the resort, Alex stopped for a minute.

"Piper, one minute, okay?"

"Sure."

Alex walked over to the concierge desk and had a brief conversation with the man there. He nodded a few times and Alex was satisfied with his understanding. She turned and made her way back over to Piper.

"All good. Let's go, kid."

They walked through the local markets, with Alex buying anything that caught Piper's eye. She wanted her last day with Piper to be something they would both remember. Alex for more than just freely being with Piper; she wouldn't be seeing her for a long time. Alex had finally opened up to Piper, letting the last wall around her heart crumble, only to have to send Piper away from her, for weeks. 'This whole thing is so shitty. Just enjoy the day, asshole. Don't fuck anything else up.'

They had almost made their way through the market when Piper spotted something and asked Alex to stay just outside the tents.

"Do you need money?" Alex asked.

"No, I got this." Piper answered over her shoulder.

After Piper made her purchase which she absolutely would not divulge to Alex's dismay, they made their way back to the villa to drop everything off, and put on something more comfortable to walk on the beach.

Alex was on the patio when Piper walked out of the bathroom. She turned and held her hand out to the blonde. They walked hand in hand along the shore, where the water just meets the sand. Time was not on their side, it never seemed to be on their side. After a awhile of walking, it was Alex that finally broke the silence.

"I'm hungry, let's head back."

"Me too."

As they approached the villa, Piper saw a dining table and chairs out on the sand, with linens and waiters fidgeting to take orders. Piper turned on her heels and grasped both of Alex's hands.

"Did you do this?"

"Yes. Surprise?" One of Alex's eyebrows arched up.

"You're crazy! This whole day has been too much!" Piper looked up at Alex.

"I love you, Pipes. It's never enough." Alex sighed, "Besides, I don't know when I'll be able to spoil you like this again. So live it up." With a hint of a sad smile, Alex bent her head down to kiss her love.

Midway through dinner, Piper brought out a little bag and placed it in front of Alex.

"What's this?" Alex said through a smile.

"For you. Open it!" Piper was practically bouncing in her seat.

Alex pulled on the corners of the bag and pulled the necklace out. She studied it for a moment. A Hamsa on a simple black cord.

"I know it's nothing as beautiful as everything that you bought me today. But it's for luck. To keep you safe. Do you like it?"

Alex reached around her neck and closed the clasp. She gingerly touched the Hamsa lying on her chest. "I love it. Thank you." She pulled Piper closer so she could thank her with a kiss.

They ate, drank and chatted for hours. It was clear Piper was tired from the day, or the wine, Alex couldn't tell. She tipped the waiters that promptly broke down their impromptu dining table and half-carried Piper up to the villa.

"C'mon kid, time for me to make good on that promise of lying in bed with you." Alex whispered in Piper's ear.

It was early in the morning as the alarm rang, disturbing both of the women who had to untangle their limbs from each other.

"Pipes? You awake, kid?" She ran her hands down Piper's arms trying to stir the woman awake.

Piper just groaned in response.

"Pipes, if you keep making noises like this we're never going to make it on time."

Piper just laughed and rolled out of bed.

They packed, and got a taxi to the airport. Checking in, Alex and Piper made their way to Piper's gate. They had about 20 minutes before it would be boarding.

Alex faced Piper and held her face in her hands. "Piper, I swear to you I will be back. And I will be out. We can start our lives; Our good lives. Together. I love you. Please be careful."

"I love you too, Alex. I will wait as long as I have to. Can you call me as often as you can? I'll miss you too much."

"Of course. As soon as I can, as often as I can. Can you do me one more favor?"

"Anything."

"Can you visit my mom? Just to check in on her. Make sure she's doing alright." Alex pulled a letter out of her jacket and turned it over in her hands. "I have this for her."

Piper took the letter from Alex. Seeing Alex's mother by herself wasn't exactly on her list of most favorite things, but if Alex had written a letter, she knew it was important. Her mind remembered one Valentine's Day where Alex had to leave for the day, and she had left a letter for Piper to wake up to. It was written beautifully and Piper had traced the pen indentations over and over in the pages with her fingers and by the time Alex had returned late in the day, Piper almost forgot to be angry with her for leaving on Valentine's Day.

'Soon she won't leave again on a holiday or birthday, or even a weekend.' Piper thought to herself.

"Of course I'll take it to your mom. I'll give her a call when I'm all settled in at Polly's."

"Sometimes kid, I don't think I deserve you." Alex looked down to the ground.

Piper reached out and lifted up Alex's chin so that she could see her eyes. "We deserve each other." The corners of her mouth lifting. "I'm a Park Slope narcissist who wants to settle."

"And I'm a ruthless pragmatist who finally expressed her love and now faces a cartel. I wouldn't have it any other way." Alex replied.

As they smiled at each other, the announcement for boarding Piper's flight came.

"That's you kid. You better go before I drag you into the bathroom." Alex smiled sadly at this, the tears threatening to fall.

"Alex, I love you. Come back home soon." Piper was already crying.

"Piper, just be safe please. I'll be thinking about you every second. I love you." Alex pulled Piper impossibly close to her and poured every drop her soul into a kiss that she laid on Piper's lips. "Now get on that plane."

Piper touched Alex's cheek briefly and turned towards the gate. Alex watched her walk away as she tried to keep her face as neutral as possible. 'You are just barely keeping it together shithead. You can fall apart when she makes it on the plane. Make sure you see her get on that plane.' Alex kept repeating this to herself like a mantra.

After Piper handed her ticket to the steward at the gate, she turned slightly to look back at Alex. The brunette held up her hand quickly, but didn't wave. 'Waves are happy motions, don't wave.' Piper did the same. She turned again and walked slowly towards the plane.

Alex stood at the gate until the plane pushed off from the gate. She scanned around and locked in on the bathroom. She shoved open the door and ran to the first stall she could see. She closed the lid and sat down on the toilet. It was finally now that she allowed the building tears and sobs to escape. 'This shit is only temporary. Why doesn't it feel like it? It feels like a fucking breakup. I can't be a fucking mess like this with Fahri. I can't show any emotion. I can't let them know that Piper matters. Please if there's a God, and if you're listening, just keep her safe; and maybe make this easy to just walk away.'

Alex stayed in the stall until an announcement came for her flight. She walked out of the stall, did a quick fix of her eyeliner and left the bathroom, headed for her gate.

With a deep breath, Alex boarded the plane.

'C'mon Vause, time to do what you're fucking good at.'