A/N: Bet you didn't expect me to update so soon? Once again, thank you for the kind words and support. I toyed with the idea of making them meeting a slow burn, but know how much it frustrates me. And after the events of season 5 (no spoilers here), I felt this feels more appropriate! Will update again soon(ish), out of interest, what do you think will happen next?

Piper had just got home from a very busy shift. The store was turning out a lot more popular than the pair had ever imagined and there was even talk of hiring another member of staff.

She dropped her coat and bag down in the kitchen and headed straight for the shower. She spent an hour in under the warm water, washing herself, and trying to relax her body from the events of the day.

Stepping out the shower she wrapped a large, fluffy towel around her and walked into her bedroom through the adjoining door. Opening her closet she took long moment to examine its contents. Do I go sexy or reserved?

She thumbed a long red dress, she had worn this one before. This ones nice. It hugs my figure. And isn't too revealing. I know Larry doesn't like it if I wear anything too revealing. She sighed.

What about what I like though? This dress isn't really me. Her eyes scanned over various other articles of clothing before stopping on a royal blue dress. She pulled this one out. It was a halter neck, and floor length, with a teasing, long slit up one side. It was THE dress that made her feel sexy, it made her feel wanted. Fuck it.

Drying herself off and applying Popi's vanilla body lotion, she slipped into the dress, with no underwear. Straightening it out, she walked to the full length mirror on the other side of the room. She run her hand through her hair, moving the damp strands away from her face and inspected herself. The dress accentuated her ample breasts, slightly pushing them up and putting them on show. Her waist is tightly hugged by the fabric, and showed the pertness of her ass, and the side slit showed off her muscular legs that appeared to go on forever.

Piper smiled. I look good. I'm wearing it.

She walked over to the dresser and started applying her makeup. Looking over at her alarm clock she noticed it was 6.15pm. Right on time.

Across town Alex was relaxing at her apartment. Clad in sweatpants and a loose fitting tank, she was sitting on her balcony reading, and listening to her iPod. The sun was still high, and the rays were hitting her face, her skin warm to touch. This is what freedom feels like.

Alex has spent a lot of her time inside like this. Sprawled out, book in hand, and her head miles away in thought. It was her thoughts that took her away from the reality. And reality was fucking terrible. She knew prison wouldn't be a fantastic experience, but she never thought to what extent.

Thats over now girl. Never. Fucking. Again.

After her arrest Alex had made a promise to herself. That if she survived the prison sentence, she would keep her nose clean, and stay out of other people's shit. I've had enough drama over the last 10 years to last me a fucking life time.

The problem with this is that drugs was all Alex knew. Well, that and sex. And I'm certainly not going to swap selling drugs to selling myself. She chuckled to herself and picked up her phone.

Alex: So building our empire? What do you have in mind?

She hit send. Moments later her phone beeped.

Nicky: Well I have the money and you have the brains. How about we meet for dinner and chat over food? Lorna got a trial tonight, we may as well go for moral support.

Alex smiled.

Alex: Is food all you ever think about? Okay, I'm down with that. You're paying. I can't access my money yet.

Nicky: YES! And after the shit excuse of food we had inside, I'm all about the dinners! Don't tell Red I said that, she'll kill me. I'll text you the address, be there for 7.

Alex put her phone in her pocket, and walked back inside. She had spent the morning cleaning the apartment. Yes it looked much cleaner, but it still felt empty. Putting her iPod down she strode into her bedroom to get ready.

It was 6.30pm and Piper was ready. She had applied light, smokey makeup, and slightly curled her hair. A small pair of navy heels were on, and she had a matching clutch. Taking one last look at herself, she gave a small nod of approval and left the apartment.

She took a cab to the restaurant. It was across town and she arrived 10 minutes early. Piper liked to be early. It gave a good impression.

The restaurant was modern. High ceilings, brightly lit and it looked expensive. Lucky I have money saved then, Larry can't afford this. She walked to the bar and was approached by a smartly dressed man in a black waistcoat and crisp white shirt.

"Good evening Madam, what can I get for you?" he greeted warmly.

Piper offered a warm smile. "A large glass of Pinot Grigio please".

The man nodded and walked off to the other end of the bar. Whilst waiting for him to return, another gentleman dressed in the same attire approached her.

"Let me get you seated miss, what is the booking under?".

"Bloom?" Piper guessed.

He put an arm out and lead Piper to a table set for two. He pulled the chair out and motioned for to sit. Pushing the chair in as she did, he picked up her napkin and lay it across her lap. With one more small smile he left her with a menu. Moments later, her drink arrived.

"Thank you very much" she replied politely.

Looking at her phone she noticed it was 7pm. Where is he?

She took a long sip. Mmmm, this tastes amazing.

She opened the menu and let her eyes scan across the different variety of food available. It all looks so good. I guess I'll wait for Larry to order.

Piper was slightly annoyed at Larry's lateness, but over the last 5 years it had become expected. She had brought it up many times, but it never seemed to register as a problem for him. He would always show up what he called 'fashionably late', regardless if this made Piper unhappy. She looked at her phone again. 7.11pm.

She opened a new message.

Piper: Where are you? I've been here 20 minutes?

She clicked send and took another sip of her wine. She sat staring at her phone expectedly. It buzzed a few minutes later.

Larry: I'm so sorry Pipes, I'm running late. I got asked to submit an article for a new website, I've almost finished. I promise I won't be too much longer. Order for me and i'll be there soon x.

Not again, Jesus Larry! She threw her phone across the table, and finished the rest of her wine. She looked over to the bar. The server caught her eye. She raised her glass and nodded. He caught on to the gesture, and brought over another glass.

"Thank you" she smiled. Well I might as well enjoy myself whilst I'm here. Her phone buzzed again. What the hell does he want now?

Unknown: Someone dressed so beautifully should not be sitting alone.

Huh? Piper looked around startled. She couldn't see anyone she knew in the room.

Piper: Who is this?

Unknown: Why don't I show, not tell?

Piper: Okay….

Unknown: Close your eyes.

Piper frowned. This is weird. But I may as well play along. Her curiosity was getting the better of her. She put her phone down and closed her eyes. She suddenly realised how vulnerable she felt.

She head footsteps approaching. The chair opposite her made a soft shuffling sound as it was pulled back, and the person sat down. All Piper could feel was static, and she felt the sudden need to draw in a breath. She slowly opened her eyes. Sat in front of her was none other then her goddess of an ex-girlfriend, Alex Vause.

Wow. Alex was wearing an off the shoulder black blouse, and black fitted pants. She had light makeup on, and her hair was straight. She looked effortlessly beautiful. Piper bit her lip.

Alex smirked. "Hey".

Piper exhaled slowly. "Hey".

"This isn't a bad time to say hi is it? I mean, I just got here, and you were just sat here, looking gorgeous I might add. I would of been a fool not to come over".

Piper bent her head slightly and blushed. Well, I'm glad someone is appreciating my efforts.

"Im actually waiting for someone. Larry. He's just running late is all".

"Ah, I see. Sweater vest doesn't seem that impressive thus far".

Pipers eyes shot up to meet Alex's face.

"Hey, you don't know him. You know nothing about him, so don't you dare judge him".

Alex raised her hands up.

"Woah, chill kid". She smiled gently. "I'm just saying, when you were mine, I never kept you waiting. Well, only for the import stuff, but then you were happy to wait".

Pipers face remained expressionless.

"Why are you here?".

"What, in this restaurant?". Alex looked confused. "Apart from getting dinner?".

Piper rolled her eyes. "No, I mean right here. In the centre of my life. I've not seen you in 10 years, and all of a sudden I've seen you twice in two days?".

"Just a lucky coincidence?". Alex chuckled.

Piper laughed. "Nothings ever a coincidence with you! You were always the planner, the free faller through life. Always on the next adventure. Why are you back in New York all of a sudden?",

Alex signalled over for a glass of wine. "Pipes, I've been local for the past 7 years. Just because you haven't seen me, doesn't mean I have just suddenly reappeared".

Piper paused with her glass to her lips. "7 years? Why didn't you call or something. Or were you here for work? Thats it I bet its work". She busied herself with the glass stem.

Alex took a sip of wine. Do I tell her the truth? I guess I haven't really got anything to hide.

"I guess you could say I was here because of work, not for work".

Piper looked up confused. "Alright, what the fuck are you talking about?". She crossed her arms. "You're still in the cartel right? Why else would you be here all dressed up".

Alex smirked. She likes what she sees. Well its now or never. "Not exactly".

She took another sip of wine, she didn't want Piper see her nervous. Piper eyed her sceptically.

"I don't think I like the sound of that".

Alex allowed her gaze to meet hers. "I've been in prison Pipes".

Piper just stared blankly back at her. Alex searched her face. Still no change of reaction. She waved her hand in front of her face. This seemed to snap her out of it.

"How long?" she said forcefully.

"What are..".

"How long were you in prison for" she interjected.

Alex broke the gaze and looked away.

"7 years" she muttered in a hushed tone.

"Fuck".

"Yeah, fuck".

"How did I not know about this? Surely I should of known about it? I was with you, how come..".

"Shut up".

Piper furrowed her brow. "Excuse me? Don't take that tone with me".

"Pipes I mean it, shut up. Theres a reason you didn't know. I kept you out of it, and we are keeping it that way". She pulled her chair back and stood up.

Before she could walk away Piper stood and grabbed her arm.

"Al, wait". She slid her hand down her arm and intertwined their fingers. "Please tell me".

Alex rose tall and straightened herself up. "After everything I put you through, I couldn't throw you under the bus. I covered for you Pipes. I made sure you couldn't be linked to anything. They offered me less time for

names. I made deals with other members. They would keep quiet about you, if they could throw me under the bus. So I let them". She cleared her throat.

"Anyway, it doesn't matter now, its in the past. I'm out and I want it to stay that way. I actually came over to apologise. Im not sorry for how I acted last night, but I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable".

Piper remained quiet. She was still holding Alex's hand. She could feel the emotion welling up inside her. She finally looked her in the face.

Alex noticed her eyes were watery and she held a pained expression.

"Al, I…".Her voice cracked. Get it together Chapman. She took a deep breath in.

"You never make me feel uncomfortable Alex. Seeing you has brought back a lot of memories. It feels complicated. I can't believe what you did for me".

Pipers next action took them both by surprise. She pulled Alex towards her and embraced her in a warm, tight hug. She let go of her hand, and brought them round her shoulders, burying her face in her hair.

Alex stood frozen for a moment. Her body went into overdrive. The feeling of Piper pressed up against her chest, she could feel her nails slightly scraping her back. She slipped her arms around Pipers small waist, holding her just above her ass. She lowered her head slowly and took in the scent, which was just so deliciously Piper.

It felt like hours that they stood there like that, but in reality it was only a few seconds. Piper pulled back slightly.

"Why?" she searched Alex's eyes.

"Because I love you" she simply replied.

Alex didn't feel as scared as she once had at that exclamation. She wasn't one that liked to share her emotions much, but her love for Piper didn't scare her anymore.

"I hurt you so much before". Alex continued. "After you left things were a fucking mess. For a couple of years I just existed. It didn't matter in the end that my life would be over, because I didn't have a life anymore Piper. But I knew you would. And I knew I couldn't let you get dragged into that mess again. Im sorry Pipes, for everything".

Piper didn't know what came over her. It was impulse. You could even say a reflex. She reached up and cupped Alex's cheek and leaned in towards her.

Alex took the signal, and stepped into the embrace. Their lips met softly and tentatively. It was a gentle, quick exchange, but neither could deny that it stirred up the fire that they both missed and desired.

They broke apart, Alex resting her forehead against Pipers searching her eyes for regret.

"I'm sorry too Al".

They stood there holding each others gaze, enclosed in each others arms.

"What the fuck is this?".

Piper turned to the voice. Larry was walking over from the entrance, with nothing but anger displayed on his face.

Fuck.