A/N: So bits may seem fast, some bits may seem slow. I think I want this to play out how I feel they would both react - time wise. Loving the kind comments, and once more, thank you for the support. For those of you waiting for the vauseman action, its coming I promise! It will 100% make up for the Larry scene! Keep checking back, I'll update soon!
Piper quickly stepped out of Alex's embrace. Such bad fucking timing.
"Get the hell away from my girlfriend". Larry reached them, forcing himself in-between the pair.
"Excuse me?". Alex was a bit taken aback by his boldness, but ultimately not in the slightest bit afraid of him.
"You heard me, get the hell away from her. Piper what the hell is this? I'm late and now you've got some skank all over you? I can't believe you!".
Alex stepped forward, dominating any and all available space in front of him.
"What the fuck did you just call me, champ". There was a significant height difference between them, Alex completely towered over him. She saw Larry swallow and take a moment to compose himself before speaking again.
"Woah, you're tall".
"I've been told" her eyes not once leaving him. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned to look at Piper.
"Well?".
Piper wanted the ground to swallow her whole there and then. Her eyes flitted between the two. Her current long term boyfriend, who was a security blanket to her. Larry was deep down a good man, he was kind and he made her smile. And he always knew when to order Chinese.
And then there was Alex. She was Piper's complete world at one point. She was beautiful, interesting, she had read everything and been everywhere. She subconsciously played with her neckless, nervously twirling it around her hand.
"Larry this is Alex".
"Who the hell is she, and why were you kissing her?".
"Alex is…" she glanced over at her pausing.
Alex raised her eyebrow and then sighed, looking away shaking her head. Pipers heart ached. She couldn't hold in the lies in anymore. She straightened up and found her inner strength from somewhere.
"Larry, Alex is my ex girlfriend". Alex's head snapped back to look at her questioningly.
"Your what?".
"You heard me. Alex was my girlfriend. We were together for 2 years. It's her I went travelling with. Do you ever wonder why you don't hear me and Polly sharing stories about it? It's because I wasn't with her".
"And why didn't I know about this? About her?".
"You didn't need to! I've mentioned her name before. Her gender was irrelevant".
Larry frowned.
"So what, your a lesbian who likes dick?" He chuckled.
"Fuck sake Larry, this is why I didn't tell you! Alex wasn't just some phase. I loved her. We were together'.
"And now? How long has this been going on? How long have your been seeing this bitch behind my back".
"Larry i'm not….It's not like that, it's complicated".
Larry pulled out the chair Alex had previously sat in and sat down, and gestured for Piper to do the same. Alex turned her back and went to walk away.
"Where do you think you're going? You're part of this, grab a seat!" Larry demanded.
Alex looked at Piper who was sat nervously playing with her napkin. She was avoiding all eye contact. Alex recognised this nervous habit, she was scared. So much for not getting involved in other peoples shit.
She grabbed a chair from a nearby table, dragging it along and placing it closer to Piper. She didn't want to be close to Larry, and wanted to form some sort of barrier between the pair. Looks like you're protecting her again Vause.
"So, how long".
Piper looked up to meet his face. "I saw her last night at the bar, for the first time in 10 years".
A look of realisation crossed his face. "You! You were that girl all over her last night". He glared at her.
Alex scoffed. "Trust me, that wasn't me all over her".
"Alex..". Piper warned, her eyes then diverting back to Larry.
"We haven't seen each other in 10 years Lar. You have to believe me, its complete coincidence she's here".
Larry looked at Alex. "Are you following her?".
Alex raised her eyebrow at him. "Are you fucking kidding me?".
Larry remained expressionless. I guess thats a no.
"Look. I was at the bar last night meeting friends and we ran into each other. And tonight I'm also here with friends. I came over to keep Piper company, she looked sad and alone".
"She doesn't want your company, she's got me".
"Then why the fuck am I still here?". Alex stood and started walking away.
"Alex wait". Piper stood and followed. "Please don't leave".
"Pipes I'm off this merry-go-round. I meant what I said before. If you want to talk, then you know where to find me". She picked up Pipers diamond necklace between her thumb and finger, and smiled. She leant in and kissed her cheek softly, before letting go and walking out the exit.
Piper sat back down.
"Do you love her?".
"What?".
"Do you love her? It's not a hard question".
She bit her lip. "It's complicated".
Larry sighed in anger. "Piper, are you still in love with her?".
She averted her eyes. Tears started rolling down her cheeks. She couldn't meet his face. She just nodded, before dabbing her eye's with her napkin.
"Then I'll make this real easy. Promise me, and look me in the eye and tell me that you don't love her. That you want me".
He shook his head. "You know, tonight was supposed to be special. I know things have been stretched, I've just been so stressed. Tonight was supposed to be our night". He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box and placed it on the table in front of her.
Piper stared at it, dread surging through her. "What is that?".
He opened the box, with a sad look on his face, and turned it to face her. Within it was a small gold ring, holding a small ruby.
"This was my grandmothers ring Pipes. I've had it for a while, I've been too scared. And I just finally thought whats stopping me?".
Piper sucked in a breath. This can't be happening.
"Larry I can't be doing this now". Tears were freely running down her face.
"If she wasn't here, would you of said yes?".He looked at her hopeful.
"I don't know. No? I'm not sure. I'm sorry Larry, I can't be here right now". She stood.
"Wait, where are you going? Don't do this Pipes. Here, just take the ring. We can forget this ever happened". He grabbed the ring box and went to grab her hand.
"Stop it" she said, trying to push his grabbing hands away. He still relented though.
"Pipes please, we need this". He was still pawing at her hands, trying to reach her left.
Piper pushed him slightly and slid past him out of reach.
"Jesus, I said no Larry! This is too much for me. The love of my fucking life reappearing and complicating things and confusing me, and now you're here trying to propose when our relationship has been patchy for a long time. Like marriage is some quick fix? I can't do this right now". She grabbed her purse and phone off the table. "I need to go".
"The love of your life?".
Piper stilled.
"Thats not what I..".
She turned to look at him. He was crying.
Guilt surged through her.
"Just go Piper". He turned his back and pocketed the ring.
Wiping her eyes, she turned and left the building into the cold dark night.
Alex: Nichols I'm gone. Piper is here. I'll explain another time. I need to be alone. Give her my love.
Alex rushed through the busy streets, back to the entrance of her apartment. Walking up the stairs she grabbed her key, quickly unlocking her door and entering. She closed it behind her, leaning against it. Fuck.
She kicked off her shoes, flung her bag on the hook. Walking into the kitchen she placed her phone on the island, and grabbed a bottled of red wine from the cabinet. Opening it, she poured herself a large glass. Placing it next to her phone, she opened a draw on on the island, retrieving a packet of cigarette sand a lighter. Putting one in her mouth and lighting one, she grabbed her phone and wine and once again went out and sat on the balcony.
It was early evening, and was dark. There was a slight chill in the air, but was Alex still comfortable. Her phone beeped in her hand.
Nicky: Okay, no problem. Check in tomorrow Stretch.
Thank fuck she didn't pry. She deleted the message.
Opening a new one, she paused.
Alex: Love is pain.
She hit send.
Piper was in a cab on her way to her apartment. She felt her phone buzz from inside her clutch.
Unknown: Love is pain.
Her finger hovered over the reply button. Her heart racing.
Piper: No, love is beauty.
Unknown: Then why am I hurting?
Piper: You just need reminding.
Piper looked over to the driver. "Change of plan" she mouthed. She gave him Alex's address.
Unknown: Show me.
Alex put her phone down. What the fuck am I doing?
10 minutes went by and no reply. She had finished smoking so returned inside. I guess thats the end of that then. She was just finishing the last of her wine when she heard a quiet knock on the door.
Putting her glass down, she tentatively walked towards the door. Undoing the latch she slowly opened it.
Piper was stood there, standing tall with a confident air around her. Tear tracks were visible on her cheeks still. She took a step forward so was inside the apartment and shut the door behind her. Searching each others eyes, it was Piper that made the first move.
She crashed her lips again Alex's, dropping her clutch in the process, both hands going to Alex's hair. Alex was ready and waiting.
She hungrily kissed her back, desperate for her touch and her taste. She grabbed at her hips before pinning her against the door.
Slowly she ran her tongue along Pipers lip, begging for entry. Piper opened her mouth giving silent permission. Alex slowly ran her tongue along Pipers, kissing her roughly. She felt her squirm, and she let out a low guttural moan.
Piper was pulling at her hair slightly, which gave her the courage to grind her upper thigh into Pipers crotch. Pipers head shot back, letting out a louder moan as she shut her eyes.
Alex broke the kiss, through lack of oxygen. Both still pressed together tightly and breathing heavily. Piper reached between them and grabbed Alex's arm. Bowing her head she raised it, before kissing a particular tattoo. Love is pain.
Letting it drop by Alex's side again, she felt confident again.
"Show me".
With that Alex grabbed her arm and lead her across the apartment towards her bedroom.
Oh, I'll more than show you Chapman.