A/N: So this was hard to write. I don't generally hate Larry as a character, I understand his role in this. Yes he is selfish, but I believe Piper never means to hurt him. This chapter contains a reaction that I feel could be expected, but nothing further then that in anger. I don't know. Let me know what you think? Yes they got it on, but it won't be an easy ride - its vauseman!
Piper opened her eyes. The room was getting light. She was curled up in a large soft bed, a warm body pressed up against her. There was a safe pressure of an arm draped over her waist. She snuggled back into it, and felt the grip around her tighten. She smiled. She rolled over into the embrace. Alex's eyes were already on her, this made her smile brighter.
"Morning".
"Morning".
They laid in each others arms, staring into each others eyes for a while.
"Is this okay?" Piper whispered.
"You tell me kid". Alex leant over and softly kissed her forehead.
Pipers head suddenly became noisy. This feels perfect. Being here with her feels so right. But it also feels wrong. Larry. Oh god Larry. Piper sat up and quickly stood.
"Fuck". She started pacing around. She picked up a t-shirt which was on the dresser, chucked it on and threw her hair up.
Alex pushed herself up on her arms and sat up at the head of the bed watching her. "Okay I guess not then".
Piper paused. She turned and walked over to her, sitting next to her on the edge of the bed.
"No. I don't mean it like that. I don't have any regrets about what happened last night". She grabbed her hand. "Last night was incredible. I can't remember the last time I've felt so connected. I'm upset though. But thats because of Larry, this will crush him. I hate that I'll be hurting him".
Alex looked at her and frowned. "You love him don't you?".
Piper nodded. "Yes. But I love you more. And that terrifies me. Al, I've been with him for 5 years, and recently its been pretty fucking shitty. And then you reappear, and I feel myself falling again. Falling fast. And I know I can't stop".
"Why do you always feel so inevitable to me? I've just cheated. I've just cheated on the man that was trying to fucking propose to me last night, and you know what? I don't even care. Actually thats a lie, I do care, I feel guilty that I've hurt him. But I don't for a second feel guilty about you".
Alex smiled lovingly at her.
"I think that when you have a connection with someone it never really goes away, you know? You snap back to being important to each other because you still are. I'm glad you don't regret last night, it felt amazing Pipes. I've not shared closeness with anyone like that, well, since you" she chuckled.
"I'm falling fast too. But I'm here to catch you, if thats what you want. Cards out on the table now, you are what I want". Alex pulled her into a hug.
Piper sighed. She allowed herself to relax in her embrace again.
"I need to talk to him. It's really complicated. This is going to take some time, and sensitivity. I don't want to hurt him more then I have to. And I don't want to rush into something with you. We both will have changed in the past 10 years".
"Not me, I'm pretty consistent".
Piper laughed. "Well I've changed. This needs to go slow. I want you, but I need to know you again".
"Are you asking me to date you?".
"No, that would be too weird right?".
"Do you want to pass me a note and have me circle yes or no?". She smirked.
Piper swatted her arm.
"Okay, okay. We will go slow. I want this. I'll do anything you ask".
Piper reached up and stole a kiss.
"I need to shower, and then I need to go".
Alex frowned again.
"Al, I just need some space to figure out what to do".
"I just can't stand that thought of you going back to him. It makes me feel sick".
"Jealous are you Vause?".
Alex glared at her and looked away. Piper stood, pausing at the door of the bathroom.
"I have my own apartment Al. I'll be alone. Now, are you coming?". She pushed the door open and entered leaving Alex alone.
It was late afternoon when Piper got home. She was sitting in an arm chair by the open window in her living room. The radio was on quietly in the background, and she was drinking black coffee.
What the fuck am I going to do?
She had spent the afternoon with Alex. A quick session in the shower was followed by the morning spent hanging out with each other. Piper had helped Alex reorganise her books, picking out old favourites and reading to each other, before Piper finally dragged herself away.
Returning home she had received a small bunch of flowers, lying outside her apartment door. They were from Larry, with a small note attached asking her to call. When she had finally turned her phone back on she had 10 missed calls, and 7 texts from him.
She opened a new message and started typing.
Piper: We need to talk. Come over?
She needed to do this. They needed to have this conversation.
Larry: Okay, I'll be right over. Do you need anything? Shall I bring food?
Piper: No, that's okay.
Larry: See you soon x
Opening another new message, she sipped her coffee.
Piper: Larry is coming over to talk. Try not to worry x
Alex: Let me know how it goes. Just to know you're okay x
Setting her phone aside, she walked over and checked herself in the mirror once more. Straightening out her clothes she went and sat back down waiting for Larry's arrival.
10 minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Piper rose, quickly opening the door. Larry was stood nervously, his hands shoved in his pockets.
"Come in". She held the door open and allowed for him to come inside.
He walked in and took off his coat, shoving it on the table.
"Can I grab a coffee?".
"Sure, you know where it all is".
She walked back over to the window taking up her seat. She had done this strategically so Larry wouldn't try and get close to her. Since Alex had suddenly pitched up in her life, Larry made her feel awkward.
Larry walked over and sat on the couch, placing his drink on the coffee table. He looked up at her expectantly.
"Look Pipes, about last night, first off let me say how truly sorry I am. I shouldn't of jumped to conclusions and I shouldn't of been so forceful. I was an ass".
Piper nodded.
"And secondly, I get that it was the wrong time to get the ring out. I guess I just thought I already had it with me so why not? I just panicked".
He slid to the other end of the sofa to get nearer to her.
"I guess I'm asking for forgiveness? I should of been more understanding about how hard all of this is for you. But I'm here, and I'll be supportive through it all. Just give us another shot Pipes, I promise I won't screw up. And I'll even over look the kiss". He smiled at her.
Oh, Larry.
"Its not as easy as that Lar. Thank you, I respect the apology, being forceful doesn't suit you". He nodded. "Things are complicated now though, and I don't want to hurt anyone".
"I promise Pipes, I'm here".
"Yeah I know. But thats the problem, I don't want this situation. And if I'm being honest, I haven't for a long time".
"What are you saying?".
"I have to make a choice. And its hard".
"Like I said, we can work through this".
Piper felt her throat go dry. He's looking so hopeful.
"Larry, I…".
She felt her eyes welling up. No, you don't get to be the sad one this time Piper.
"Larry, I'm sorry".
His face fell. She could see the cogs turning in his head.
"Larry, I really, really don't want to hurt you. And it's breaking my heart cause your such a good man. But thats exactly why I'm doing this. I can't be with you anymore. I can't be with you when she's here".
"Then make her leave! We have a life Piper, don't throw that away for some fling you had years ago. I won't let you! We're in love".
Piper winced. "She wasn't a fling Larry. I was in love with her. I didn't leave because I stopped loving her, I left because work got in the way. Don't you dare try to belittle my feelings".
He held his hands up. "Okay, sorry. But we have been together so long, and you are really considering throwing us away over her?".
He stood up and started pacing. "So you kissed, I get that. It would of brought up feelings. But nothing like what we have!".
He walked over to her and leaned in to kiss her, she stood and moved out the way.
"Larry, stop".
She moved to the other side of the room.
"You're right. I do love you. But seeing her again, remembering what it feels like to exist with her, thats different. It's something much more".
"More than us? You just said it yourself Piper! You just told me to my face that you love me, I don't get what the issue is". He cross his arms and stared at her angrily.
Piper laughed to herself. "The issue?".
She walked back to the chair by the window and sat down. She picked up her cup and finished the remaining lukewarm liquid.
"The issue is that I just love her so much more". She put her cup down.
"I like warm Larry, thats you. But I also want hot. I want fireworks, I want someone I can have adventures with, and thats her".
"I'm sorry you have to hear this. I promise you I don't want to be hurting you, and I hate myself for causing you pain. But I wouldn't forgive myself if I let her slip by. I thought I lost her a long time ago, and it's like the universe has thrown us back together".
Looking back over at Larry she realised he was crying again.
"But after 5 years Pipes, you're throwing 5 years away on a whim?".
"She lost 7 years of her life for her love for me, at this point I would do anything for her. This isn't some whim Larry, this is inevitable. It would always happen".
Larry sniffed and wiped his eyes on his sleeve.
"Is that where you were last night?" He said quietly.
Cards on the table Piper. "Yes?".
"Did you fuck?".
She held her nerve. "Yes".
Larry cleared his throat. "Is she better then me?".
"Larry what sort of..".
"Answer me".
"Yes Larry. Yes she is better than you. In every single way. Is that seriously what you want to hear?".
He walked over to her and roughly slammed her into the wall. He pressed himself against her.
"Take it back".
"No".
"I said take it back Piper".
"No Larry!". She pushed him away and picked up her phone. "You need to leave".
"Pipes, no. I'm sorry. I just got angry. Please! We can fix this".
"Theres nothing to fix. I should of done this a long time ago. Alex was just the wake up call I needed".
Without warning Larry strode across the room and hit her. The slap echoed throughout the room.
Fuck. She scrunched her eye closed.
A look of terror flashed across his face. "Wait. No. I, I didn't mean it".
Running past him, she slipped into the bathroom and locked the door.
"You need to leave, now!" She shouted.
"Pipes, please let me explain" he banged on the door. "Please let me in".
Holding her phone up closer to her face she dialled. It rang three times before answering.
"Pipes?".
"Please come".
Larry was still banging on her door in the background.
"I'm on my way". The line cut out, and Piper slid down the door crying. Could this have gone any fucking worse?