A/N: Thank you so much for the continued support for this, even though it's been awhile. It really does mean a ton to me. There's some flashback in this, and don't worry, we'll pick back up with Alex next time. As always, feel free to let me know what you think! Thanks again!
4 Days. It's been 4 days since Piper had heard from Alex. She's sent a multitude of texts, and a few phone calls, always forgetting what time it could be in Myanmar - if that's even where she still was. Piper is trying to not think the worst of what could have happened, chalking the lack of communication up to the fact that Alex could just be busy; handling the drops, setting up travel and transport, just as usual.
But 4 days. 5 hours and 34 minutes. And Piper can't stop glancing at the phone as if willing it to ring and pushing the majority of her dinner around the plate.
"Piper?! Have you been listening to anything that I said to you?"
Polly's questioning finally snapped her out of her preoccupation.
"Sorry Pol. Can you repeat that?"
"Damn it, Piper! I've been telling you this whole plan I worked on for a soap business, and you've just been in some kind of daydream not listening to a single thing I've said."
"I'm sorry, Pol. Really. I just...haven't heard from Alex in a couple days. That's really unlike her. I'm a bit worried."
"Why are you worried about her importing furniture?"
Piper let out a sigh. She really couldn't carry on this lie anymore, but without hearing from Alex, she didn't want to start spilling all their secrets; potentially putting Alex, herself or even Polly in danger.
"She's just traveling in potentially dangerous countries. You know, Americans aren't loved in most places these days. Plus, it's really unlike her to go this many days without some kind of message - even just a text."
"Well, sorry then. I hope you hear from her soon. Do you know when she's due back?"
'You mean, IF she's coming back.'
"Not exactly. Soon, but it'll really depend on how fast she can close the deal and handle all the shipping details."
"Oh. That blows."
'Tell me about it. More like, how fast can she sell all the drugs, drop them off and potentially not piss off a whole cartel of people and get one of us dead.'
"You have no idea."
"So, back to what I was saying. I think we can really do this soap thing! Seriously. Since you're still looking for a job, we have some time. I mean, we can work through the whole week until you find something and just try to turn out as much as possible. With the summer coming up, there will be a ton of farmer's markets and street fairs that we can sell at. What do you think?"
"Yeah, sure. Let's do it!" Piper tried to feign enthusiasm in the whole project. 'It'll help distract from Alex.'
Polly seemed satisfied with Piper's answer and continued to rattle off scents and shopping lists that they would need to pick up soon to start. Piper's glanced out the window of the diner to the street bringing more bittersweet memories with Alex. Enjoying fresh croissants on street cafés of Paris, having cappuccinos in Rome just steps away from the Colosseum and having high tea in London. All these memories flood Piper's mind and bring her to the edge of breaking down in front of Polly. Piper is given an opening when the waitress comes back to the table and Piper asks for the check.
"In a rush?" Polly asks.
"I wanted to check out another place in the area that said they were hiring. But I'm not sure about it, so I just want to check it out, just from the outside since I'm close." Piper again tries a lie on her best friend.
"Sure, okay." Polly seemed unsure, but willing.
After finishing up the bill, the two friends parted, and Piper headed uptown. Intent on the going home. The home that Alex and her had shared when they were in New York. She still had her key, and just wanted to feel anything that was connected to Alex.
As the key turned in the lock, Piper pushed gently on the door and was immediately hit with the feeling that she shouldn't be here. It feels like an intrusion - to be here without Alex.
She disabled the alarm and walks into the apartment, letting her fingers glide along the walls, over furniture; each touch bringing a significant memory of Alex.
Piper entered the kitchen and saw a bottle of wine, Caymus - Cabernet Sauvignon, Alex's favorite. She gingerly picked up the bottle, remembering their trip to Napa Valley a year or so ago, and the almost obscene amounts of money Alex had spent on everything. From private tours of vineyards, a driver so they never had to worry about drinking too much and getting back to the villa, the en-suite couples massage, to the chef that Alex had come in and cook them dinner every night, served on the private veranda. Alex had showered affection on Piper, not even glancing at the guides, but intent on watching Piper's reaction and wonderment at everything. Piper was absolutely elated. All she ever wanted from Alex was her time and attention.
She opened the wine, poured herself a glass and sat on the leather couch in the living room.
Piper wasn't really a wine drinker until that trip, but having Alex describe perfectly the aromas and tastes of each wine that they had tried, was so unbelievably sexy to Piper, that when it came to trying the Caymus, she just couldn't take it.
Piper and Alex were sitting on the veranda, enjoying a bottle they picked up earlier in the day, watching the sunset, enjoying the peacefulness of it all and each other's company.
"Pipes, you have to roll it over your tongue, really taste everything." One of her eyebrows perked up at the word 'everything.'
"Al, all I taste is the alcohol. I don't taste a thing that you've mentioned." Piper turned her attention back to the sunset.
Alex laughed. "Yeah, you will." The brunette moved her chair to be sitting directly behind Piper. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes." The answer was instantaneous from Piper.
Alex took the glass of wine and brought it in front of Piper's face. "Pipes, close your eyes. I'm going to describe everything to you. And you'll taste it, promise." she smirked. "And then it'll be so rewarding." and placed a kiss behind her ear.
"First, smell it. You can smell the currants and black cherries. It promises sweetness, mature fruits. It has a hint of vanilla in it, giving it a deeper, generous aroma. Do you get that?"
"Sort of." Piper was just having a difficult time with Alex practically whispering in her ear and smelling her perfume to really care about the wine.
"Okay. Taste some of it - but don't swallow." Alex lifts the glass to Piper's lips and tilts it a bit so Piper can take some of the wine in her mouth. "Good. Now you really get to taste the cherries and currants fully. It's bright and explosive. Roll it around with your tongue. You should get more spices now. The anise, the cedar from the barrels it was in, the herbs that flavor the wine. It's almost toasted spices, but it's never overpowering the fruits. It's almost silky in your mouth."
Piper was itching to finish this, as Alex's descriptions were affecting her more and more. She could feel Alex's breath on her neck, and smell the wine on it which was more intoxicating than the wine itself. Piper needed to feel Alex, and soon otherwise she might explode.
"Now, swallow. Don't open your mouth yet. It'll end with hints of coffee and mocha. Rich. Smoky." Alex placed another kiss on Piper's neck. "Now how did it taste?"
Piper slowly opened her eyes and met Alex's. "Absolutely. Delicious."
Alex laughed and kissed Piper full on the lips. "See? Who needs margaritas? Wine can be fun." She downs the rest of the glass.
"Was that the rewarding part of it?"
"No." Alex stood and walked around to face Piper. She knelt down, reached under Piper's skirt and pulled her panties down. "This was."
They had made love on that veranda, through the sunset, into the darkness until Alex grabbed her wrist and the remaining bottle of wine, and headed straight to the bedroom.
The next day, Alex had ordered a crate of the wine to the apartment, and broke open a bottle only on special occasions.
Now Piper was drinking that bottle of wine alone; missing Alex terribly. Piper stood up and continued her way through the apartment. Passing by the photos of their travels, she was reliving each adventure with Alex. One of her favorites, was prominently displayed on the wall leading to the bedroom. It was herself and Alex on the pristine white beach, Playa Blanca in Colombia. It was the first time they had gone a beach resort, and the first time Piper got to take in the sight that was Alex in a bikini.
Piper had just finished getting into her bathing suit and packing the bag to take with them to the beach.
"Towels, tanning oil - Al, what am I missing?" Piper called out to Alex who was still getting dressed in the bathroom.
"Maybe something to snack on?" Alex replied from the bathroom.
Piper looked around the room and spotting some oranges that they had picked up in the street market, and packed them away. She grabbed two bottles of water and stashed them in the bags too.
"Al, there were only tw-" Piper looked up to see Alex in a dark blue bikini, tying her hair up in a loose bun. She's gorgeous and has rendered Piper speechless.
"See something you like?" Alex smirked at her.
"Yeah. Yes." Piper shook her head. "Alex, you look ma-mazing!"
Alex laughed. "Did you just say ma-mazing?"
"I am an idiot." Piper joined her in the laughter as Alex walked towards Piper and circled her arms around her.
"Sometimes, yes." Alex kissed Piper deeply before pulling away. "But you're my idiot." She leaned in and kissed Piper again quickly. "Now let's get to the beach before I eat you as a snack!"
Piper takes another sip of her wine and smiles at the memory and continued to the bedroom. She opened up the bedroom door, and was met with the painful reality that she will be sleeping alone again. This time, she doesn't have a countdown of when Alex will be back from the latest trip, or run or meeting.
She opens the top drawer of the dresser and takes out one of Alex's t-shirts. Piper brings the shirt to her face and inhales deeply. The scent is utterly Alex and it is enough to bring Piper to the verge of tears. She gingerly removes her clothes, and puts on the shirt. She downs the rest of the wine, not caring about enjoying it without having Alex to enjoy it with. The alarm gets set for the night.
Piper grabs her phone and crawls into the bed. Her fingers instinctively dial the numbers that she's been waiting to see on her screen for days.
4 days. 4 days, 8 hours and 16 minutes.
4 rings, and it's to voicemail. It's a small pleasure to hear even a recording of Alex's voice, but it's not fulfilling enough.
"Hi Alex. Al, I miss you like you wouldn't believe. I'm in our - " Piper pauses, unsure if she should say where where is. She quickly thinks of something that Alex would understand. "-sanctuary. I'm wearing your shirt. And it's just so...empty without you." Piper sighs and turns over.
"I remember when you first caught me snuggling with your pillow. You told me I was drooling on it. And how your sheets were so expensive and how much it was going to cost you to dry clean out the spots. God, I felt like such an idiot. Until you started to laugh and I knew you were kidding. I still don't know if I really drooled or not, but I don't think you cared either way."
Piper looked over to Alex's side of the bed. "I really wish I could just know that you're alright." She feels the slow roll of a tear start down her cheek. "This is killing me, Al." Piper was struggling to keep it together to remain intelligible on the message. "Just come home to me, baby. I love you. So much. So, so much. Please, come home."
Piper ended the call, and grabbed Alex's pillow and let herself fall apart until she was so exhausted, sleep finally came for her.