Nat sat on the floor eating her cereal at the coffee table. The bubble gum pink lights around her were bright enough to enjoy one of the books she found in her desk. She turned the page, lifting the spoon to her mouth as she read. Far across the room, the door that separated the house in unequal halves opened. She looked over, put the spoon in her mouth, taking a bite of pure sugar glory as her sister walked through the door.

Piper quietly closed the door behind herself before saying anything. "Morning," Piper called to her as she walked over. She stopped, noticing the change in the room around her. "How did you get them all to turn pink?" She spent a few seconds looking at all the lights around the room before giving her sister a cheerful smile.

Nat grinned as she chewed, clearly proud of her discovery. "The terminal in my room controls all the lights and everything. I figured it out last night when I was checking out what was on it." She shoveled another spoonful of cereal into her mouth and chewed quickly. "I can set them to their defaults like last night like Blue had them or make them all a single color. So, I made them all pink. Looks great, doesn't it?"

"Hmm, that's pretty neat." Piper said with an impressed grin, "What's that ya got there?" She loved seeing her sister read more than school textbooks. She wished they had more books of their own at home. It was why she was so impressed with Alex's place. This morning, she had spent a little longer perusing the bookshelves. Alex had impressed her with the fact she'd spent time listening to her during their numerous conversations. The more she'd looked at the books, the more it solidified in her mind Alex had intended to make the place into a home for them. Alex had even said so much while they flirted over dinner. She felt her cheeks starting to hurt from the smile she wore thinking about it.

Nat held up the book so she could see the torn page.

"The Call of the Wild? Never heard of it."

"It's about a dog named Buck." Nat took a drink of the milk in her bowl. "So far, it's pretty good. I stayed up late after I found it."

Piper gauged her sister for any inkling of knowledge about her shared night with Alex. She hoped they weren't overheard; it wasn't like they were exactly quiet about their undertakings. The last thing she wanted was embarrassing questions about them having sex for most of the night. "How late?"

Nat rolled her eyes. "I'm not too tired to help with the paper or do my homework if that's what you're asking. I just wanted to read. I couldn't sleep because it was so quiet, so I turned on the radio and read." Piper was instantly relieved hearing her answer.

Nat stuffed the last spoonful of soggy cereal in her mouth, looking at her book before setting it on the table. She glanced over Piper's shoulder at the door leading to the other side of the house. "Where's Blue? I didn't see her on the couch this morning when I got breakfast. Did she leave?"

Piper promptly turned red; she couldn't help it. "She's, um, upstairs sleeping." Piper looked at the bowl of milk trying to ignore her sister, "Are you done with that?"

"Yeah, I'm done," Nat pushed the bowl at her. "Upstairs?" She leaned into the table tilting her head, trying to get Piper to look at her. "Does that mean you finally talked to her?"

Piper dumped the Sugar Bombs into the already-sweet milk. "Uh-huh, yup. We talked… a lot." Piper couldn't help the smile on her face thinking about their night. She justified the answer with the fact they did talk for a while, so she wasn't lying. She just wasn't telling her the more intimate parts. Her blush was spreading over her face and ears the more she thought about it. She wanted to eat and crawl right back in bed with Alex.

"And?"

Piper mixed the cereal with the milk trying to think of something appropriate to say. She kept her eyes on the bowl as she stirred. She knew her sister would have a hard time understanding their friendship, the way she felt, and their changing relationship.

"Piper, stop stalling!" Nat sounded exhausted with her. "What did you say to her?" Piper looked up to see Nat staring a hole into her.

"I'm not stalling, Nat. I was thinking about how to answer you, Jesus. Give me a minute." She lifted a spoonful of cereal out of the bowl, "I told her how I felt, and we talked about everything... about us."

Nat sighed and put her head in her hand, "I'm this close to kicking your ass, Piper." She held two fingers apart. "What. Did. You. Say. To. Each. Other."

Piper sighed, "I told her I loved her and that I had for a while." She stuffed the cereal into her mouth. This conversation was a little more complicated than she wanted to have.

"And she said what? Why are you making this harder than it needs to be?" Nat's voice went from tired to irritated.

Piper swallowed the half-chewed bite peeved at her moodiness. But more so that she was having a difficult time giving her a more open answer. She wasn't sure why. The entire subject of her and Alex had become an unnecessarily long courting period and the reasons were lame in her opinion. They'd finally reached a happier point for themselves, she thought. "I don't know. Maybe because I'm terrible at talking about myself. You know that." Piper shoveled another large spoonful into her mouth hoping Nat would stop questioning her.

"Yeah, I do. Which is why I don't get it. You never talk to me about anything other than the paper or school. I want to know what she said. Why won't you tell me what's going on in your life?"

Piper chewed slowly; she knew Nat was right, but she didn't want to admit that to her. "That's not true. I tell you things all the time. We talk about a lot of stuff." She watched her sister turn pink.

"Lair, no we don't." Nat gripped the table and leaned forward. "Ever since I was ten, you tell me what to do and leave. I take care of everything here while you're gone. You only started coming back more in the last few years and I know it wasn't cause you wanted to, but because Blue told you to." Piper stopped chewing and stared at her. She swallowed slowly watching Nat get angrier. "What? Do you think I can't hear or that I don't pay attention, Piper? I've heard you two talking about me at night. I knew you didn't want to be around me this whole time." Nat crossed her arms, frowning at her. "You still don't. The only reason you come back is the paper, not me."

"That is so not true! I can't believe you'd think that..." Piper looked at her cereal disgusted. She rammed the spoon in her mouth, chewing angrily.

"Then why won't you talk to me about anything? You always send me off to sell papers, do homework, or do anything that pushes me away. I'm sick of it."

Her sister's resentment bit at her through every single word she said. She knew Nat was right and Alex had warned her not to keep her distance. Every day she spent with Nat she saw how much her sister was becoming more like her and it scared her. "I love you and I do everything I possibly can to take care of us." Piper could feel her own indignity burning on her skin. "I don't want you to run off and do something stupid. That's why I try and give you space and let you be yourself. I'm not trying to avoid you. I'm trying to make a living for us."

"You always tell me to talk to you later. Just like now, you ignore my questions." Nat rolled her eyes and drummed her fingers on the table. "You know what? Never mind, it's fine."

Piper recognized the look on her sister's face and set the spoon down. "What are you planning?"

Nat narrowed her eyes at her, "If you won't tell me… I'll just ask Blue. She doesn't avoid me like you do."

"Jesus Christ, Nat." Piper shook her head at her persistence. "I answered you! I told her I loved her and that I had been in love with her for like two years. She told me she loves me and had been in love with me since before she went to the Institute. Are you happy now?"

"You know you're both dumb, right? Who waits that long to say something like that?"

"Two people that don't want to ruin their friendship but are deeply committed to one another because of how they feel." Alex offered walking to the table.

Nat and Piper both jumped, neither had heard the door open or Alex walk in.

"Jesus, Blue. How do you do that?" Nat took a deep breath the blush spreading across her angry face. Piper could feel the heat spreading in her cheeks too. She didn't want Alex to hear their argument. She hadn't expected her to be up and about either.

Alex was dressed in jeans, combat boots, a gray tank top, and a leather jacket like she was ready to go out for the day. Piper inspected her face and Alex gave her a small smile. Alex's eyes were less blue this morning, giving away her pain. The dark circles under her eyes and sallow skin made Piper worry again. "You should be upstairs sleeping."

"I'm fine, Piper." Alex offered Nat a small smile, "If you two weren't fighting, you'd have heard me open the door and walk in." Alex sat on the floor next to Piper carefully. In the three and a half years Piper had known her, she had learned her mannerisms and Piper could tell she was lying. She watched her body and could see the reservation in her movements. The way she tucked her left arm in, she knew she was protecting it. Studying her further, she could tell she had heard quite a bit of their argument. "Why aren't you in the chairs? Are they not comfortable?" Alex scrutinized Nat while she questioned her.

"I wanted to eat at a table." Nat offered; her voice was full of resentment. "We don't have one." She looked pointedly at her sister.

Piper set the bowl down angrily. "Natalie, stop. We have a table at home."

Nat's glare returned in full force. "It's covered in an inch thick of papers, notes, and stupid shit. It's just a spot for story ideas and pictures. There's no place to sit and eat." Her heated attitude returned in full force.

"Please stop, both of you." Alex gave them an easy smile and tried to calm the situation. "I don't want to watch you two argue when there's a way to resolve this." Alex reached out to Nat and put her hand on her arm, "Nat, you can ask me whatever you want, anytime. But I'd prefer to talk about your questions with Piper present. She's your parent and should be there." Alex removed her hand and sat back against the chair, rubbing her shoulder. "Is that ok with you, Piper?"

"Yeah, it is, Blue." Piper picked up her bowl, scowling at her sister. "But Nat, you better lose your attitude with me or else." Piper drank the last of the milk from the bowl and set it on the table.

Alex turned her friendly smile back on Nat's bright red face, "Listen, there's some stuff downstairs I want to show you both. You'll need to know what's down there anyways." Piper was curious about what she was hanging on to in the basement. She knew Alex had collected guns and supplies for a while and figured that's where she was storing everything. But she wasn't sure what she'd have for them. "I have a bunch of things down there that are just collecting dust, including a dinette set. If you like it, we can clean it up and bring it upstairs to use."

Piper watched her sister weigh what Alex was saying. The angry red that colored her face began to fade. "You know you can tell me if there's something you want. I'll see if I can find it for you or put in a request with Myrna. I just want you to be comfortable here." Alex looked at Piper, "Same goes for you."

"Thank you," Piper could feel her sister thinking. She took Alex's hand, pulled it into her lap, and laced their fingers together. "I'll keep that in mind."

Nat looked at the table where Piper was sitting. "Do you want us to stay here for good? Is that why you're doing all this?"

Piper thought the answer was obvious. But hearing Alex say it out loud would make it real and she wanted to hear her say it.

Alex cleared her throat quietly. "I did hope at some point you both might like to. So, yes, it has crossed my mind… a few times in the last year. We've never talked about it; I'd like too if you both are comfortable with the idea."

Piper stayed quiet, her fingers tracing Alex's. She watched her sister's face as she considered what Alex just said. They'd already been living together, and they traveled extensively together before that. There were a few things they'd need to talk about, but she wasn't in the least bit opposed to it. "So, is this like a pre-war thing where Nat and I wake up and head to the office; while you stay home a make us dinner in a cute little apron?"

"Possibly," Alex gave her a shit-eating grin, "Just the apron?"

Piper smirked back, watching Nat blush, "And the boots." She couldn't help herself, it needed to be said and she loved teasing her.

"Uh, gross. I'm right here." Nat rolled her eyes at their shared look. "You want us all to move here and not live at our house anymore? I thought we were… I thought you already lived with us?" Nat looked between them confused.

"I did…" Alex shrugged. "It wasn't like we really discussed it though. It just ended up that way. I was hoping we could talk about it. Think of it as we live here, and you work there. Neither of you would need to give anything up."

It struck Piper that Alex was somehow trying to convince them when she didn't need to. "I don't mind if we discuss it." Piper tossed around her own thoughts. She liked the idea and wanted to make sure Nat knew it as well.

"Does it need a discussion if we already are doing it?" Nat narrowed her eyes at her in disbelief, "I already thought you were together. My friends think you are together! Why do I feel completely confused as to why you two didn't rub a brain cell together and talk about this sooner?" Nat put her head in her hands, "This is so embarrassing and confusing."

"Uh, ok, I'm sorry we didn't do this on your timeline." Piper waved her hand at her. "Relationships are a little complicated."

Nat looked up and shrugged at them, "So, what exactly is different now?"

"You get this question," Alex said quickly looking at Piper.

Piper felt herself turn two shades of red looking between Alex and Nat.

"Um, well…" She looked desperately to Alex who waved her on. "We kiss… and stuff now." She had no idea how to answer the question without sounding lame.

Alex snorted watching Piper struggle. "You aren't very good at this, are you?"

"No, she isn't," Nat added. "Because I figured that out on my own, genius."

Nat looked at Alex expectantly and Piper waved her on, "Ok. Fine. Let's see you do better, then."

Alex cleared her throat. "Well, kiddo. When two people love each other…"

"Ok, I'm done. You both suck at this." Nat started to get up.

"Relax! I'm joking." Alex chuckled while she caught her arm. "I know you can't understand why we didn't talk about things sooner. But I want you to know there were a lot of reasons. It's not just one thing." Alex rubbed her forehead. "Maybe I'm rushing things…"

"So, spit it out and tell me." She knelt waiting. "And rushing what? I get my own room and a whole half of a house. I'm all for having a door I can shut in Piper's face."

Piper rolled her eyes at Nat. Alex's hand traveled to her eyes, rubbing them next, "This place is just different than your place." Piper looked between Nat and Alex trying to decide who was more frustrated.

"No, it's definitely better! You did hear what I said about the door, right?"

Piper threw Nat a glare. "And that door can come off its hinges so fix your attitude, little sis."

"Whatever." Nat tapped Alex's arm, "Why didn't you tell her sooner, Blue?"

"When I realized I loved your sister, I had overheard her tell someone she wasn't interested in a relationship. So, I didn't want to make her uncomfortable with the way I felt, because…". Alex paused thinking.

"Because?" Nat shook Alex's hand trying to prod her to answer. "Why?"

"When I first woke up, I was completely lost. The world I woke up to wasn't anything like the one I went to sleep in." Alex rubbed her chest, thinking. "When I met Piper a few months later, she became my rock." Alex smiled at Piper, "She helped me understand this weird world and I came to really depend on her. With the time we spent together, I got to know her, and I fell in love with her. I was frightened I'd lose her as a friend."

The honesty of her thoughts made Piper feel like her insides were jittering.

Nat drummed her fingers on the table, "I don't understand. What do you mean you woke up here? You lived in a vault, didn't you?"

Alex sighed, "No, Nat, not exactly lived." She shifted and got a little more comfortable. "I was put in cryogenically frozen sleep in the vault when the bombs fell two hundred and fourteen years ago. I was frozen until about four years ago when I was released."

Nat stared at her. "How old are you?" Piper could tell she wasn't sure if Alex was joking with her or not.

"A lot older than you probably think I am," Alex rolled her shoulder biting back a pained groan.

Nat glanced at Piper, then back to Alex. "Which means what?"

"I'm as old as the ghouls, Nat."

"Bullshit."

Alex chuckled, "No, kiddo. I'm not bullshitting you."

Nat turned to Piper and Piper just nodded at her. "She's not lying to you."

"So, you're…" Nat drummed her fingers on the table, counting. Piper watched Nat mentally do the arithmetic in her head, "two hundred and fifteen?"

Alex laughed understanding her mistake. "No, I'm a little older than that... I'm two hundred and forty-four years old. I was thirty in twenty-seventy-seven when I went into the vault with my family." Piper chuckled at Nat's reaction. "So, I wouldn't put any candles on my cake this year if I were you," Alex added with a chuckle.

"What does that mean?" Nat looked questioningly at Piper, she just shrugged back, she had no idea what it meant.

Alex looked between them seeing their confusion. "It's an old tradition on birthdays, you put candles in cakes for people to blow out and make wishes. Like for your fifteenth birthday, we'd have put fifteen candles on your cake for you to blow out."

"Cake? You mean like a Fancy Lad Cake?" Piper was just as interested in whatever birthday cake was supposed to be as Nat was. "How do you fit more than one candle on that?"

"It's kind of the same but can be different flavors and it's a lot bigger." Alex snickered understanding their confusion "The candles were tiny, like half a pencil tall, and different colors. It was meant for people to share with you on your birthday in a way to celebrate. Birthday cake is… It's sweet but better than anything mass-produced." Alex was quiet for a second. "You've never had a birthday cake before? Neither of you?" They both shook their heads. "Huh. I'll need to see if I can change that travesty. While I'm out today, I'll stop by the shops and see what they have."

"Really?" Piper could hear the thrill in Nat's voice. She didn't blame her, Alex was an amazing cook, so the thought of her making something was exciting.

"Yes, really. But I'll need your assistance, Piper." Alex cocked her eyebrow at Piper. "If you don't mind learning how to bake a cake."

Piper winked at her. "I don't mind at all."

Alex grinned, "You'll need to bring an apron." Piper laughed turning red all over again.

Nat rolled her eyes again, this time making a disgusted sound. "Ugh, god. I'm so ignoring that. Ok. So, you thawed out and what?"

Alex leaned against the chair and took Piper's hand again. "The first people I found were hard for me to understand. It was like they were speaking a different language. Honestly, everything was different about them, from their mannerisms to their clothes. I was really confused, to say the least." Alex rolled her shoulder again, and Piper wondered if it was getting better or worse. "Which is why when I met Piper, I felt like I had finally found someone that made everything easy to understand. She was tolerant and easy to get along with. She explained so much," Alex smiled at her, "She was also honest, and it was a quality other people didn't seem to share. She was interested in helping people, just to help them. She was so very passionate about the truth, and it is very endearing." Alex smile so brightly that Piper smiled back at her feeling her warmth.

Nat sat down and crossed her legs under the table. "Why didn't you just talk about it at home?"

"Because here…" Alex racked her brain for a good answer. "It just never seemed like a good time. There was always something to do and we were both busy. She had you to raise and the paper to work on. I spent time trying to find my son." Alex grew quiet for a second, shaking herself from her thoughts. "When I first started, I hoped…" Alex looked away, pausing. "I… I need a place to bring Shaun to." She looked at the table in front of her, and Nat looked at Piper. Piper motioned for her to be patient. "I was living with you two and I didn't know what the future held." Alex didn't look back up. "I knew I needed to make a place for my son and I," Alex finally looked back up at Nat. "I wanted to still be close to you two, so I bought this place. When Shaun… my situation changed, and I was gone for a while. When I came back, I started to work on this place." She gave Nat a caring smile, "When I finally thought she'd be receptive to a romantic relationship, I stepped in front of a hungry bear. So, I didn't get a chance to talk to her until last night."

"There are two of you. Why didn't either of you say something." Nat got up and looked down at Piper. "I still think you're both dumb for dragging this out. I don't even know what to tell my friends right now…"

"Uh," Piper rolled her eyes, "You don't need to tell them anything, gossip girl."

Alex took the metal tin out of her pocket and picked out two tablets of the four that were in there. Piper watched her put them in her mouth, then swallow them. "You only have two left?"

Alex nodded with a wince. "After we go downstairs, I need to go out and get more. I'll go by Publick and get the papers bundled. If you don't mind, stay here, and wait for Danny. We'll bring up his boxes from downstairs." Alex grimaced, she put her hand on her chest again, rubbing under the gunshot wound. "I'll get everything ready for the traders and put the papers out."

"Are you sure, Blue? I feel bad we're just going to be sitting here." Piper stood and helped Alex up.

Alex smiled and ran her fingers through her hair. "Until we get word from Danny, I'd feel better if you two just hang out here. Think of it as a vacation and a good way to catch up on some reading." Alex leaned in and kissed her quickly. "Let me help you for a change."

"Seriously with the PDA…" Nat mumbled, putting her hand over her face.

"You're complaining an awful lot for someone that thought we were already together," Piper wrinkled her nose at Nat.

"I'm still not understand how you weren't. I just don't get it. Because it means…we aren't..." Nat grew quiet, and Piper didn't answer her. She didn't want to enflame her sister further. She hoped Nat would grow to understand and accept their reasons eventually. "You help me all the time, Blue." She caught the look Alex was giving her and decided to concede a small victory to her. "Though, I could use the time to catch up on some reading."

"So, it's settled then!" Alex gave her an approving grin. "Nat, grab the table and move it over there." Alex pointed to the jukebox. "It's time for you guys to see the basement. Nat, please don't show anyone this unless Piper or I tell you that it's ok, understood? This is for us only in case something happens."

"Sure thing, Blue," Nat quietly answered her. Piper took the bowl into the other room and put it in the sink while Nat moved the table. She wondered at Nat's sudden change toward Alex but decided to let it go for now.

Alex kicked the rug back toward the couch. Under it was a steel hatch and a large metal plate. "Would you mind getting the hatch please, Piper?"